Council authorizes easement acquisition and potential condemnation for Douglas Street improvements

The Lee's Summit City Council on Aug. 4 advanced an ordinance authorizing acquisition of permanent and temporary easements needed for the Douglas Complete Street Improvements project, including authorization for the city manager to initiate condemnation proceedings if negotiated purchases cannot be completed.

Michael Park, director of public works, described the project as a roadway reconstruction and multimodal improvements package on Douglas Street from Second Street North to Chipman Road that includes sidewalks, storm-sewer work, water-line replacement and associated appurtenances to upgrade a key gateway into downtown.

“This is the Douglas Street Improvements from, Second Street North to Chipman Road. It's a public improvement project, road improvements, sidewalks, storm sewers, water line replacements, and all the other appurtenances that come with roadway project to 1 of our critical gateways into downtown,” Park said.

Park told council that the staff packet included an Exhibit A listing parcels still requiring easement acquisition and that several of those listed had been acquired since the packet was prepared; staff planned to update exhibits before second reading. He asked council to adopt a necessity resolution and to authorize negotiations and, if necessary, eminent-domain action.

Council advanced the item to second reading as bill 25-145; the motion passed 6-1. A subsequent vote recorded that the item passed 6-1 when recorded; staff will return revised exhibits and recommended easement descriptions at second reading and continue negotiations with property owners.

The authorization permits the city to use condemnation as a last resort if negotiated purchase of required permanent or temporary easements is not successful. Park and staff said condemnation would be pursued only if necessary to keep the project on schedule.