ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - The Latest on an eminent domain case involving an Atlantic City piano tuner (all times local):
3:30 p.m.
A state redevelopment agency says it is disappointed in a ruling keeping it from taking an Atlantic City piano-tuner’s home through eminent domain.
John Palmieri, the executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, said the agency will examine Friday’s ruling to determine their next steps.
Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez ruled that 69-year-old Charlie Birnbaum can keep the house. He says that the CRDA attempt to condemn the house is an abuse of eminent domain power and exceeds the agency’s authority.
The CRDA had argued that it needs to take Birnbaum’s house through eminent domain for a tourism district.
But Mendez says that the CRDA didn’t prove it can redevelop the land considering the city’s financial state and the history of unsuccessful projects in that area.
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1 p.m.
An Atlantic City piano-tuner has won his long court fight to keep his family’s three-story brick home that a state agency wanted to have for redevelopment efforts.
Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez ruled Friday that 69-year-old Charlie Birnbaum can keep the house. He says that the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority’s attempt to condemn the house is an abuse of eminent domain power and exceeds the agency’s authority.
Mendez had ruled in November 2014 that the agency could take the house in the shadow of the closed Revel Casino Hotel.
The CRDA had argued that it needs to take Birnbaum’s house through eminent domain for a tourism district.
But Mendez says that the CRDA didn’t prove it can redevelop the land considering the city’s financial state and the history of unsuccessful projects in that area.
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