PRATTVILLE − The City of Prattville has started condemnation proceedings on three parcels of land to make way for improvements of one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares.
The City Council approved the moves during Tuesday night’s meeting. The matter will now go to the Autauga County Probate Court, where a fair market value of the parcels will be decided and the city will pay those prices for the land.
Condemnation is when a government takes ownership of private property, usually as part of an infrastructure improvement project. The land is along McQueen Smith Road South, which connects Cobbs Ford Road and U.S. 31, also known as Memorial Drive.
The land is needed for rights of way for a project to widen McQueen Smith Road South, which is mostly two-lane through its route. The land to be condemned includes 1.67 acres owned by Centerpoint Fellowship Church, a non-denominal church, which built a large worship center about three years ago. The building sits well off McQueen Smith Road.
Executive pastor Steve Boston did not immediately return a phone call Tuesday night seeking comment.
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Mayor Bill Gillespie said the condemnation is not done lightly.
“It is part of the process, these is no ill will,” he said. “It is necessary to move the project forward.”
All three property owners were offered “fair market value” for the tracts but turned down the offers, said Andrew Odom, city attorney.
The other tracts include .58 acres owned by L&L Properties and .02 acres owned by GANESH Properties, city records show.
Plans to improve McQueen Smith South have been considered for at least since the late 1980s, but past administrations have balked at the cost. The road connects several densely populated neighborhoods and apartment complexes to the retail corridors of East Prattville, as well the commuter routes of Cobbs Ford Road and Memorial Drive.
The Autauga County School system is building a massive kindergarten school off the road, and the Prattville East Branch of the YMCA is also off the road.
The growth in the area has city officials predicting traffic will only increase of the road.
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.
