The Purple Line and You; Part I
news & events

The Purple Line and You; Part I

Posted August 15, 2013 at 8:24 AM

Eminent Domain and Condemnation, Litigation, News & Events, Purple Line Project, Real Estate

This is a three-part series written by Miller, Miller & Canby Eminent Domain Attorneys discussing Purple Line and how it may impact residents in its path.

You’ve probably heard, by now, about the Purple Line.  It is a 16-mile transit line that will extend from New Carrolton to Bethesda, tracing the inner circle of Route 495 through Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, connecting the Metro Red Line and providing public transportation access to MARC, Amtrak, and bus lines.  While the project has been in the works for years, Governor O’Malley recently announced that the State has earmarked substantial funds towards design, construction and land acquisition for the Purple Line.  The project is one of the State’s highest priority transportation projects. 

How might the Purple Line impact you?

Of course, to most people, the Purple Line will mean more-accessible public transportation throughout the area.  That is, after all, the purpose of it.  As with many transportation projects, however, the authorities will need to acquire land upon which it will be constructed.  Some of that construction may occur on existing roadways and State-owned right-of-way, but some of it will also occur over existing privately-owned residential and commercial property.  This means that some property owners will lose part or all of their private property to this public project.  View proposed Purple Line in your neighborhood.  It is expected that the government may begin acquiring property for the Purple Line as early as this fall—even before the complete project is funded. The acquisition of property for the Purple Line is possible through the exercise of the government’s power of “eminent domain.”

The governmental power of “Eminent Domain” will be discussed in more detail in Part II of this series.

For additional information on property rights and to view an Owner’s Handbook: The Condemnation Process and Just Compensation in the State Courts of Maryland click here.

For more information about eminent domain cases, visit the eminent domain section of this website or contact Joe Suntum.

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