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Family May Lose Business To Court's Eminent Domain Decision

City May Take Building Family Owned For 35 Years

POSTED: Thursday, June 23, 2005
UPDATED: 11:59 am EDT June 29, 2005

A landmark decision by the Supreme Court regarding eminent domain paves the way for local government to take your home or business to make way for private development -- and that's exactly what's happening to a business owner in downtown Hollywood.

Do you agree with the court's decision?

For 35 years, the Mach family has been cutting hair and doing nails in their building on the corner of Harrison Street and 19th Avenue.

George Mach and his wife Kaitlin purchased the building in 1971. Their son says the couple not only ran the business, they raised their family there.

David Mach said, "I worked here when I was a kid. I worked the register and met all the old customers."

He says his folks rejected several requests to sell the building over the years, but the latest offer is one the family can't refuse. The city of Hollywood is moving to seize the building through eminent domain, which allows governments to take private property for public use. The city plans to put a $100 million condominium on the site.

Property rights attorney Charlie Forman says he is worried about how city leaders will interpret the Supreme Court's decision

Forman said, "As long as they're doing something good for the community it's OK to take people's property."

Daniel Abbot, the city of Hollywood's attorney, says city leaders do sympathize with the Mach family.

Abbot said, "They're long time residents and we're working with them, but at the end of the day, that area has been targeted for restoration and redevelopment and we need to get to that point somehow."

George Mach lost a long battle with leukemia six weeks ago.

His son says the family is more committed than ever to save their store.

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