Tiyan parkway could cost landowners' property

Tiyan parkway could cost landowners' property

Posted: Jan 21, 2010 3:25 PM
by Janjeera Hail

Guam - It appears efforts to build a Tiyan parkway will result in the Government of Guam taking property from some Tiyan landowners. Department of Public Works Director Larry Perez says the agency met with the Federal Aviation and Highway Administration and representatives from the Governor's Office, as well as Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo's office.

While progress has been made, Perez admits there are challenges. He said, "It looks like there might be some land taking required, if it's a settlement that's great, but if its not a settlement and it requires eminent domain or condemnation, then we're going to need to go before the senators for their approval. He also said, "To pass a law to undo that, to reconcile that is going to be a challenge. The other is with this buildup there's this passion out there to not condemn land. So we're trying to ask the federal government not to condemn land, then GovGuam should follow suit."

Other challenges include some of the Tiyan properties are deemed unusable and have clouded titles. While officials work to finalize the alignment of the parkway, Perez says they are trying to ensure they minimize the impact to landowners and the airport.