PLF Defends Property Owner Before The Missouri Supreme Court

by Timothy Sandefur

Today the Pacific Legal Foundation filed this brief on behalf of Homer and Julie Tourkakis, property owners and victims of eminent domain abuse in the city of Arnold, Missouri. Homer Tourkakis's dental practice is being targeted because the City wants to construct the Arnold Commons, a large retail shopping center that will include a Lowe's Hardware Store, and Office Depot, and other shops.

We argue that Missouri's TIF Act, the law under which the City claims to have power to condemn the Tourkakises' property, actually does not allow cities like Arnold to condemn this land. In addition, we argue that a broad interpretation of the TIF Act would violate the Missouri Constitution.

Here is a backgrounder on the Tourkakis case.