Board authorizes eminent domain filing to acquire property for parks maintenance site expansion

The Hot Springs Board of Directors voted May 19 to authorize the city attorney to file eminent domain proceedings to acquire real property (parcel ID 39965) owned by IW Harper and Susie Lyn Harper. The acquisition is intended to supplement city park maintenance property on Walter Street so maintenance operations can relocate from the larger Davidson Drive site.

City Attorney Albbright said attempts to purchase the parcel failed because the owners did not respond to correspondence; the city will tender an appraised value of $28,500 to the Garland County court registry as part of the condemnation process. Denny McFate described the intended use: the property would add needed space to the city’s one‑acre park maintenance site so equipment and tools can be moved off the Davidson Drive location and consolidated.

Albbright emphasized that the action merely authorizes pursuit of a legal process to determine fair market value when a voluntary sale was not possible. The board voted to direct the city attorney to proceed.