Colorado Mesa University Wants the City to Donate Cannell Avenue

Colorado Mesa University is asking the City of Grand Junction to make a donation to the institution in the form of an entire city street. If approved, 126,000 square feet of property will have to be vacated. Do you feel this should be approved?

According to Westernslopenow.com, the city of Grand Junction donated portions of Cannell Avenue to the college last year. The city is now considering handing over a much larger portion of land. A public hearing is to be held August 5, 2015, at City Hall, to determine if the city will proceed with the plan.

As you would no doubt expect, there has been opposition from residents from the area regarding the vacation of the property.

Speaking as a property owner, the possibility of CMU acquiring more surrounding land is a major concern. I own a handful of income properties in the immediate area, and the loss of such properties could represent a major financial loss.

While most of the university's expansion is in a Westerly direction, and my properties are immediately East of the campus, there does remain some concern regarding CMU's continued acquisition of land.

In my particular case, I own two homes next to the college, one of which is appraising at $15,000 less than what was paid for it ten years ago. If the university were to desire the land and make an offer at current appraised value, my financial loss would be catastrophic.

There is, of course, the issue of Eminent Domain, which according to Thefreedictionary.com:

The power of a government entity (Federal, state, county or city government, school district, hospital district or other agencies) to take private real estate for public use, with or without the permission of the owner. The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution provides that "private property (may not) be taken for public use without just compensation." The Fourteenth Amendment added the requirement of just compensation to the state and local government takings.

 

Do you support Colorado Mesa University's desire to expand and acquire further property on Cannell Avenue? Would you be willing to part with your property if offered reasonable compensation?