A simple sentence jumps out of the letter sent Tuesday to 41 Duluth property owners: "This would include your property."
That's how the property owners learned that the Duluth School District plans to acquire their land and homes to complete its long-term facilities plan. The district has hired local real estate consultant F. I. Salter to handle the property acquisition.
For some, the selling process will be straightforward, beginning with a meeting between F. I. Salter Vice President Natalie Hoff and the property owner.
The district will hire two independent appraisers to evaluate each property and, following the appraisal, will present each property owner with a written offer based on the property's appraised value, Hoff said. If a property owner wants another appraisal, the district will pay $1,500 toward the third appraisal.
If the property owner is satisfied with the offer, the district will pay for closing costs, deal with any mortgage companies, and pay for relocation costs and moving costs where applicable, Hoff said. She was unable to give any range of compensation because each situation is different, she said.
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If the district and the homeowner can't reach an agreement, the district can acquire the property through eminent domain. A panel of three "qualified and impartial" residents will determine a fair price for the property. If the property owner doesn't agree with that price, the decision can be appealed to a district court for a jury trial.
The district hopes to acquire the 41 properties by April 2009, Duluth Public Schools Superintendent Keith Dixon said.
"Property acquisition isn't easy," he said. "Our goal is to solve this amicably."
