City Council has voted to use eminent domain to take ownership of a privately owned property next to FirstEnergy Stadium.
The 0.35-acre parcel at 2040 Centre Ave. is owned by Nikhilkumar Patel, according to Berks County tax records.
City Managing Director Jack Gombach said the city is in the process of confirming Patel’s death and likely will be dealing with his estate.
Compensation will be determined by mutual agreement or, if necessary, through court proceedings.
The property on the corner of R Phils Drive and Centre Avenue is bounded to the west and south by the nearly 16-acre city-owned tract that includes FirstEnergy Stadium, home to the Reading Fightin Phils, as well as Redner’s Event Center and surrounding parking areas.
City officials did not publicly discuss the reasons for acquiring the parcel, but noted the action is being pursued for public purposes and other authorized purposes to benefit city residents.
Reading considers eminent domain for property next to FirstEnergy Stadium
Body camera contract
In other business, council authorized a budget amendment that shifts $525,000 within the police department and draws on the city’s general fund balance to cover increased costs tied to the department’s contract for body cameras.
The funds will be used to pay for a contract with Axon Enterprise Inc., based in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The company supplies body-worn cameras; conducted electrical weapons, also known as Tasers; software; storage; and related hardware.
Council approved renewal of the five-year contract in June.
Officials said police department accounts for gas, maintenance, training, dues, consulting services and other items will be trimmed to balance the transfer.
Jamar Kelly, city finance director, said some training sessions will have to be postponed, but the delay will not negatively affect police performance.
“The training isn’t essential,” he said without elaborating. “They’ll need to wait till next year.”
Jack Gombach, city managing director, said the administration prioritized ensuring continuity of camera coverage.
“We were very concerned about having cameras and then losing cameras so that forces us to deprioritize (training),” he said.
Reading City Council reviews $525,000 shift for police body cameras and Tasers