Bill Introduced to Take Camp Meehan Site By Eminent Domain

[The Straight Story]

Bill Introduced to Take Camp Meehan Site By Eminent Domain

NORTH PROVIDENCE -- State Rep. Arthur J. Corvese has introduced legislation in the General Assembly to authorize the town to take the Camp Meehan property by eminent domain.

The North Providence Democrat acknowledged that he usually does not support the use of eminent domain to take private property, but was prompted to when the Town Council approved a resolution seeking the authority to take over the 15-acre parcel.

"Eminent domain is a very powerful tool. It must be used judiciously. I would not support the taking of land by eminent domain in all cases, but the Town Council has put its support behind acquiring this property for open space and needs this legislation to do so. I support the Town Council's initiative."

Owned by Capital City Community Centers, the land is heavily wooded and has been used for decades as the site of a summer day camp. It sits along the Wenscott Reservoir and is adjacent to Governor Notte Park and the Lincoln border.

Although town officials had long talked about acquiring the property to expand Notte Park, it took on urgency when Capital City disclosed that it had entered into a purchase-and-sales agreement with Lincoln developer John Petrarca. Petrarca's Generation Realty would purchase the land for $1 million to build a 134-unit complex consisting of 60 condominiums and 74 geriatric units, provided the land could be rezoned from open space to residential.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1404492/bill_introduced_to_take_camp_meehan_site_by_eminent_domain/