The Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency (IA) Board has approved a series of resolutions declaring public purpose and necessity for acquiring private property tied to three major transportation projects in Leon County, clearing the way for potential use of eminent domain after negotiations with several property owners failed to produce voluntary agreements.
Under Section 107.09 of Blueprint’s Real Estate Policy, the board must formally authorize property acquisition when eminent domain may be required for approved projects. Blueprint’s authority to acquire property stems from multiple provisions of Florida law and the Florida Constitution, which allow local governments to obtain land for public infrastructure while providing procedural safeguards for property owners.
Officials emphasized that eminent domain is considered a last resort after attempts at voluntary settlements. Staff reports indicate negotiations have been ongoing for months or years in some cases, but unresolved agreements risked delaying construction schedules, prompting the board’s action.
The largest effort involves the Bannerman Road Corridor Project, a long-planned initiative designed to improve safety and mobility along a four-mile stretch of Bannerman Road between Quail Common Drive and Meridian Road. The need for upgrades was first identified more than 15 years ago due to rising traffic volumes and safety concerns.
Construction will require land from more than 160 parcels, primarily through small “strip takes” and temporary construction easements needed to widen the roadway and add sidewalks and multiuse trails. To date, Blueprint has secured about 25 percent of the needed property through voluntary agreements.
The approved resolutions authorize the acquisition of 11 parcels totaling less than one acre from eight residential property owners located west of the Bull Headley Road intersection. All acquisitions are partial, and no residents will be required to relocate.
A second set of resolutions addresses the Airport Gateway Project, a major roadway initiative intended to create a multimodal connection between downtown Tallahassee and Tallahassee International Airport. The approval allows for the acquisition of two vacant residential parcels totaling about 30 acres near the Munson Slough bridge on Springhill Road.
The existing bridge, built in 1949, is scheduled for replacement to support roadway expansion, improve flood resilience, and accommodate stormwater infrastructure. The Florida Department of Transportation will fund approximately 75 percent of the two-lane replacement, while Blueprint will cover the remaining costs and the addition of two more lanes. The project is scheduled to move forward in early 2027, making timely property acquisition critical to staying on schedule.
The third project, the Magnolia Drive Multi-Use Trail, will create a 2.2-mile trail along the South Magnolia corridor from South Adams Street to Apalachee Parkway. The trail is designed to improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity while also supporting utility upgrades along the corridor.
Resolutions approved for that project authorize the acquisition of three parcels from two property owners for right-of-way and temporary construction easements. Like the other projects, officials confirmed that no relocations will be required.
In all cases, Blueprint obtained independent appraisals and review appraisals before making formal purchase offers. Officials said they will continue negotiating with property owners even as eminent domain proceedings move forward, with the goal of reaching settlements and avoiding prolonged legal disputes while keeping the projects on schedule.