Lewis Rice Rails to Trails Attorneys Hold Meetings in Lake County, Florida for Landowners along CSX Railroad Right of Way
May 23, 2023Lewis Rice Rails to Trails attorneys Lindsay S. C. Brinton and Meghan S. Largent held meetings this week for landowners who are expected to be impacted by the plans of Lake County, the city of Tavares, and the city of Mount Dora to build a recreational trail in place of old train tracks. Despite a recent report that the railroad owner, CSX, no longer plans to sell the right of way, Lindsay and Meghan believe conversion of the line to trail use remains likely. If that happens, landowners will be able to file a claim for just compensation to be paid by the federal government.
To read more about the city's plans, click under "Resources" below.
Lewis Rice's federal takings attorneys represent landowners throughout the United States pursuing takings claims against the federal government. One primary focus of the group is representing landowners in what is commonly referred to as rails to trails takings. Attorneys in this group litigate cases in the United States Court of Federal Claims on behalf of those whose property was taken by the federal government pursuant to the National Trails System Act, which authorizes abandoned railroad lines to be converted to public parks. The goal is to obtain compensation from the government for the taking of their land for the public recreational trail. The attorneys in the Federal Takings Practice Group focus on both proving the taking has occurred as well as establishing the value of the property that was taken. Their national work for landowners includes representing landowners coast-to-coast, including 11 states.
