Somerville Landowner Sues City, Says Officials Trying to Drive Down Property Values Ahead of Eminent Domain Taking

SOMERVILLE — A landowner is claiming in federal court that Somerville officials pushing the city's Union Square redevelopment plan illegally ordered the installation of curbs in front of several Webster Avenue garages, part of an effort to drive down property values in anticipation of an eminent domain land grab. "I'm in a battle with the city," property owner George Hara told New Boston Post during a recent interview. "This is an exercise to diminish the value of the property. I've had meeting

SOMERVILLE — A landowner is claiming in federal court that Somerville officials pushing the city's Union Square redevelopment plan illegally ordered the installation of curbs in front of several Webster Avenue garages, part of an effort to drive down property values in anticipation of an eminent domain land grab. "I'm in a battle with the city," property owner George Hara told New Boston Post during a recent interview. "This is an exercise to diminish the value of the property. I've had meeting…