United States of America v. Tract J18-38, No. 2:2008cv00568 - Document 15 (M.D. Fla. 2009)

Court Description: OPINION AND ORDER that the government has the right to condemn the subject property and just compensation is valued at $3,800 ($1,500 per acre, rounded to the nearest 100). The government shall deposit the just compensation into the Regist ry within 60 days of this Opinion and Order. The government shall timely move for final judgment upon deposit, and the Clerk shall administratively close the file pending the entry of final judgment. See Opinion and Order for details. Signed by Judge John E. Steele on 12/2/2009. (RKM)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA FORT MYERS DIVISION UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, vs. Case No. 2:08-cv-568-FtM-29DNF TRACT J18-38, 2.5 ACRES OF LAND, MORE OR LESS, IN COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, GRACE M. LUKES (DECEASED), ET AL., Defendants. ___________________________________ OPINION AND ORDER This matter came before the Court on December 1, 2009, for a bench trial on the matter of just compensation in 38 condemnation proceedings. All parties known or believed by plaintiff to have an interest in the property have been properly served or notified as provided by FED . R. CIV . P. 71.1. No property owner or claimant appeared at trial except for Theresa and Jacqueline Grable in Case No. 2:08-cv-569-FTM-29DNF, and Leslie Correll, Jr. in Case Number 2:08-cv-589-FTM-29DNF. Both Ms. Jacqueline Grable and Mr. Correll presented argument and testimony in their individual cases. The Court heard testimony from John R. Underwood, Jr., President and owner of Appraisal and Acquisition Consultants, Inc. where he has been working as a real estate consultant and principal appraiser since 1983. Mr. Underwood testified on behalf of the government regarding the appraised value of the parcels of land subject to condemnation proceedings. Mr. Underwood started his career as an appraiser in 1971 working for First Federal Savings & Loan of Lake Worth, Florida. After obtaining his Bachelor s Degree from Florida State University, Mr. Underwood took courses for his designations and received training from the Appraisal Institute, where he has been teaching since 1981 on a national basis. Mr. Underwood received his MAI (general) designation, which requires a minimum of 5 years experience, required courses, a Masters thesis equivalent, and (residential) peer review, designation, from and the also received Appraisal his SRA Institute. In compliance with continuing education obligations, Mr. Underwood must complete 30 hours every 2 years for the State of Florida and 100 hours every 5 years for the Appraisal Institute to maintain the designations. Mr. Underwood has previously testified, and has conducted about 1000 appraisals in the everglades and 200 in the Big Cypress project. Mr. Underwood testified as to the common characteristics of the land as: (1) remote; (2) similarly zoned; (3) wetlands; (4) same regulations on development; and (5) no improvements. To determine market value, Mr. Underwood used a sales comparison approach by comparing to sales in the Fakahatchee Strand, where values range from a low of $800.00 to a high of $2,000.00. The subject tracts all have the highest and best use of passive recreational. The oil and gas rights were not and will not be taken as part of the tracts of land, however, the mineral rights will be taken. Mr. Underwood concluded that the fair market value -2- for each tract of land before the Court is $1,500.00 per acre, rounded to the nearest $100.00. The Court, having considered the testimony and other evidence, hereby ORDERS AND ADJUDGES: 1. The Plaintiff has the right to condemn the subject properties for the public purpose set forth in the Complaints in Condemnation. 2. Just Compensation for the taking of the fee simple title to Property, is $1,500.00 per acre, rounded up to the nearest 100, for a total value of $3,800.00. Payment of the Just Compensation will be in full satisfaction of any and all claims of whatsoever nature against the Plaintiff by reason of the institution and prosecution of this action and taking of the subject properties. 3. Plaintiff will deposit the Just Compensation determined at trial into the Registry of the Court within SIXTY (60) DAYS of this Order. The Clerk shall administratively close the file pending the entry of final judgment. 4. On the date of the deposit of the Just Compensation into the Registry of the Court, title to the Property will vest in the Plaintiff and the Plaintiff possession of the Property. will be entitled to immediate Upon making such deposit, Plaintiff will timely notify the Court and move for a final judgment of condemnation by filing a motion. -3- 5. The Just Compensation will be subject to all real estate taxes, liens and encumbrances of whatsoever nature existing against the Property at the time of vesting the title thereto in the Plaintiff and all such taxes, liens, encumbrances of whatsoever nature will be payable and deductible from the Just Compensation. 6. The Clerk of the Court will retain the deposited Just Compensation until further Order of this Court upon consideration of any applications for distribution filed by persons claiming or asserting an interest in the Just Compensation. Plaintiff s counsel shall notify the Clerk of the Court as each remaining case reaches a zero balance so that the case may be closed. 7. In the event that the Just Compensation and any interest, or any part thereof, remains unclaimed for a period of FIVE (5) YEARS from the date of this Opinion and Order, the Clerk of the Court, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. ยง 2042, will cause such sum, together with any interest, to be deposited in the United States Treasury in the name and to the credit of the United States of America or the National Park Service, as appropriate. DONE AND ORDERED at Fort Myers, Florida, this December, 2009. Copies: Kyle Scott Cohen, AUSA Parties of record Intake Finance -4- 2nd day of

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