BACKGROUND:

The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah approved the West Gwinnett Street widening project at the regularly scheduled meeting on April 12, 2004. These improvements align with the adopted City Council Strategic Priorities: Infrastructure, Neighborhood Revitalization, and Public Safety. This road widening project will reduce street flooding, increase the pedestrian safety and access via sidewalks, improve the quality of Savannah streets, improve mobility and neighborhood connectivity, enhance a commercial corridor, and provide necessary access the upcoming Arena Development and Canal District.  Additional right-of-ways and/or easements from private landowners are required to facilitate this project.  The project provides additional traffic lanes, sidewalks, bicycle facilities, and drainage.

Staff has contacted and negotiated in good-faith with owners of record in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations.  Unfortunately, due to title issues, the property located at 1310 West Gwinnett Street will require the use of eminent domain.

PARCEL INFORMATION:
Owner – Charlene Frazier-Eckert
Property Address – 1310 West Gwinnett Street
Property Identification Number – 2-0046 -01-010
Legal Description of Parent Parcel – Lot 24 Springfield Plantation Morrison Ward
Required Right-of-Way – 44.7 square feet (0.001 acres)
Required Easement – 75.3 square feet (0.002 acres)

STATUS:
Title work was performed on the property and the owners of record are Bullie Frazier and Charlene Frazier-Eckert. Staff called Charlene Frazier-Eckert, who owns the property because her father Bullie Frazier passed away. The title is clouded because of an interest held by Mr. Charles Lotson from a previous tax sale many years ago. Mrs. Charlene Frazier-Eckert has no dispute with the offer amount, but we are unable to locate the other interested party; therefore, the only way to acquire the right of way and easement and obtain clear title is to utilize eminent domain.

Approval.