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Groups claim City plans to use eminent domain to take remaining Rolling Mill properties

May 19th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

A joint statement released Thursday afternoon by three organizations opposed to the planned Rolling Mill redevelopment project is urging the city of Cumberland to disavow any plans to use eminent domain.  The statement, signed by representatives of the “Save Our Homes Alliance of Rolling Mill”,  the “Institute for Justice” and “Preservation Maryland” , provides a copy of a “letter of intent” by the city and developer PennTex Ventures which states: “the City has the power of eminent domain…and intends to utilize these powers to acquire properties for economic development”. About a dozen property owners in the area targeted as part of the Maryland Avenue Redevelopment Project are continuing to hold out, saying they have no desire to sell.  The joint statement continues, noting the threat of eminent domain is particularly alarming in light of comments made in recent months by Shawn Hershberger, executive director of the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation.  

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