Missouri Supreme Court: Both Large and Small Cities May Use Eminent Domain for Redevelopment

Disappointing news out of the Missouri Supreme Court.  In City of Arnold v. Tourkakis, No. SC88647 (Mar. 18, 2008), the court held that both chartered and non-chartered Missouri cities have the power to use eminent domain to take property for "redevelopment."  The issue in the case was whether Article VI, section 21 of the Missouri Constitution allowed only larger "chartered" cities to use the power.  Background on the case here, and a summary of the issues by the Castle Coalition here.

The court's 6-1 decision is posted here.