Now instead of a “public purpose,” condemnations would be upheld based on “expected public benefits.” If a property could potentially generate more tax dollars or create new jobs as something bigger and newer, then using eminent domain to replace the current owner with a glitzier development served the public good. In one of the most controversial rulings in its history, the Court held that economic development was a “public use” under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. The fight over Fort Trumbull eventually reached the U.S. New London Decision Made It Much Easier to Abuse Eminent Domain As the Fort Trumbull neighbors found out, when private entities wield government’s awesome power of eminent domain and can justify taking property with the nebulous claim of “economic development,” all homeowners are in trouble. The City handed over its power of eminent domain-the ability to take private property for public use-to the New London Development Corporation (NLDC), a private body, to take the entire neighborhood for private development. In 1998, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer built a plant next to Fort Trumbull and the City determined that someone else could make better use of the land than the Fort Trumbull residents. Tragically, the City of New London turned that dream into a nightmare. The richness and vibrancy of this neighborhood reflected the American ideal of community and the dream of homeownership. Matt’s mother was born in her house in 1918 and had never lived anywhere else. The Dery family, up the street from Susette, had lived in Fort Trumbull since 1895 Matt Dery and his family lived next door to his mother and father. She purchased and lovingly restored her little pink house where the Thames River meets the Long Island Sound in 1997, and had enjoyed the great view from its windows. Susette Kelo dreamed of owning a home that looked out over the water.

Little pink houses meaning