Expropriation Law Inside the Footprint

I've noted the existence of a variety of law suits relating to the over 150 expropriations in the VA and LSU sites over time.

Derrick Morrison from the Committee to Reopen Charity recently excerpted from one that I haven't highlighted in depth to date here on the blog - the suit filed by the Blood Center of Southeast Louisiana.

The Blood Center was evicted from its facilities earlier this month after expropriation (see above notice photo and move out photo below) and is now operating temporarily out of a former car dealership in New Orleans East.

What are the chief legal arguments involved in the suit against the LSU Board of Supervisors?  Well, many of them align quite closely with the more general arguments that have been raised here and elsewhere:

The attorneys for The Blood Center make some great observations:

Here's a view of the Blood Center's current home out in The East:

Law suits filed against LSU challenging Footprint expropriations

I know of at least two suits that have been filed recently by property owners in the LSU Footprint that challenge not merely the amount of compensation for expropriated property, but other aspects of the takings as well.

For example, here's the opening of The Blood Center's attempt to impose a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and obtain injunctive relief:

Somewhat ironically, I know that a number of former residents of the LSU Footprint saw the Blood Center take over properties in the neighborhood...removing houses from two full squares of the neighborhood, making part of it "green space," and doing little with much of the property after Katrina.  As with just about any aspect of activities and controversies in the Footprint, things are complicated.

Additionally, a property owner on Cleveland Avenue has filed a suit that directly challenges the legality of the government taking, the expropriation by the LSU Board of Supervisors.  The City of New Orleans is also named as a defendant.

Here is a sampling:

You heard it here first

But last evening, FOX8 did a great piece on the final family left in the VA Hospital Footprint:

"It's worse than Katrina to have your house paid for, totally restored and to have someone come and just take it from you,” said Deborah Brown Cassine.

Deborah has consistently made an articulate, thoughtful argument about her situation.  It's worth a read.

She appears in court facing eviction tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. in Civil District Court at Loyola and Poydras.