Smokeshop Battles Chandler Intersection Expansion
The City of Chandler authorized condemnation against Trails, a smoke shop, which is the final holdout in the City's plans to acquire land for the expansion of an intersection at Ray Road and Alma School Road. The City's real estate manager reports that the City has reached agreement with the owners of all affected property except Trails. The City budgeted $10.6 million for land acquisition, design and construction on the project scheduled to begin in 2010.
The City has additional plans to extend Washington Street in downtown Chandler to Pecos Road, which would require the acquisition of homes, unoccupied properties, part of a park and parking lot. The City also plans to spend $36 million to widen Gilbert Road, which would require acquisition of parts of 83 properties and the likely relocation of several businesses. The projects are intended to alleviate traffic congestion now and in the future.
While the City may consider the condemnation of the Trails store part of a "standard intersection project as fars as that goes", it is doubtful that Trails considers it business as usual. Trails faces the prospect not only of loss of its property, but also dislocation and disruption of its business at a time when few businesses can afford additional economic impedements.
