Is a deal near on land needed for Orem road?

OREM — Although the Orem City Council voted this week to start eminent domain proceedings to claim private property so the city can build a road, the attorney for the owner of the property in the city's sights said a deal on the land could soon be completed.

"I am confident that we are going to end up getting it resolved," said Robert Jeffs, attorney for the property owners of Project RedCliff Ascent, a transitional treatment home for adolescent males that stands on the land on which the Orem council has set its sights.

Project RedCliff Ascent sits at 1834 S. Sandhill Road in Orem — right along the path of a proposed road construction project that calls for a major overhaul of almost 2 miles from University Parkway to 2000 South on Sandhill Road

The property owners were surprised by the city's decision to move ahead with eminent domain action because they thought they were close to a deal with the city, Jeffs said. He says he remains optimistic about reaching a relatively quick solution.

While such government actions usually cause a public outcry, the man who owns the land seems to see the value of the street-widening project. "I feel half and half about it," said Scott Bowman, program manager for Project RedCliff Ascent.

"When they tear the place down, I'll probably get one of the bricks and frame it," he said. "But the road needs to be done."

If a deal isn't arranged soon, however, the council's unanimous vote Tuesday night allows Orem attorneys to begin the eminent domain process against Project RedCliff Ascent.

A government entity can use eminent domain powers to take land for the public's benefit. Roads and sidewalks are examples.

The process started with an appraisal of the land. The city then made an offer of $253,000, and said the owners of the treatment home could rebuild the same size facility on another parcel they own nearby.

The owners countered with an offer closer to $400,000 but they are still waiting for appraisal results to back up their figure, Jeffs said.

But the parcel owned by Project RedCliff Ascent isn't the only parcel the city would need to build the road. The city has been negotiating with property owners of about 50 parcels along the road-reconstruction route, said Steve Earl, an Orem city attorney.

Earl said they hope to have most agreements in hand within the next few weeks. If they don't, they will take the land through eminent domain.