Latest news with #JoanHendel
Wall Street Journal
a day ago
- General
- Wall Street Journal
A $2.4 Billion Bridge Is Coming to Cape Cod. Their Homes Will Be Seized to Build It.
Joan and Marc Hendel were still unpacking their newly built house on Cape Cod on March 3, when their dream of homeownership burst. That day, an employee from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation hand-delivered a letter informing the couple that their house and at least 10 others in Bourne's Round Hill neighborhood, along the Cape Cod Canal, would be taken by eminent domain to make way for the state's largest public works project in a generation: a new bridge connecting mainland Massachusetts and the Cape.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
These Massachusetts homeowners are having their home seized by the state — what to know about eminent domain
Plans to replace the Sagamore Bridge, a major access point to Cape Cod, have recently sparked controversy as several homeowners face losing their properties to eminent domain. While many local drivers welcome the infrastructure improvements, affected residents are struggling with uncertainty about compensation, relocation and the impact on property values. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Americans with upside-down car loans owe more money than ever before — and drivers can't keep up. Here are 3 ways to cut your monthly costs ASAP Marc and Joan Hendel, who recently moved to Sagamore's Round Hill community, were devastated to learn that their home could be taken as part of the project. 'This is heartbreaking to us that they're just coldly giving us a letter that says we're going to destroy your home,' Marc told CBS Boston. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) plans to replace the aging Sagamore Bridge as part of a broader effort to improve Cape Cod's infrastructure. The project, which also includes replacing the Bourne Bridge, is expected to take years to complete. A total of $1.72 billion in federal funding has been secured for the Sagamore Bridge. In a statement released in July 2024, coinciding with the announcement of a major funding award. 'This is a game-changing award for Massachusetts,' Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy proclaimed. 'We've never been closer to rebuilding the Cape Cod Bridges than we are right now. This funding will be critical for getting shovels in the ground.' Additional funding is needed for the Bourne Bridge. The construction will involve twin bridge structures to separate traffic flow, improving long-term safety and efficiency. The government may acquire nearby homes as part of the project, leaving some residents uncertain about their future. The final list of affected properties has yet to be released, but the uncertainty has already disrupted the local real estate market. Many are now weighing their options, deciding whether to sell, hold out for a buyout or challenge the process. Eminent domain, the government's legal right to seize private property for public use, can significantly influence home values. When a government entity signals its intent to take properties for a project, the uncertainty can cause hesitation among buyers, leading to decreased property demand and, ultimately, lower home values in affected communities. Read more: Are you rich enough to join the top 1%? Here's the net worth you need to rank among America's wealthiest — plus 2 ways to build that first-class portfolio In some cases, properties near eminent domain projects lose value even if they are not directly taken. The potential for construction disruptions, increased traffic and changes in the area may make potential buyers think twice. Since the Sagamore Bridge project is part of a multi-phase project that could take years to complete, market instability in the area may persist. For homeowners who may be impacted by eminent domain, there are steps to take to ensure fair treatment and compensation: Consult an eminent domain attorney: A real estate lawyer specializing in eminent domain can help homeowners understand their rights and negotiate a fair settlement. Get an independent appraisal: The government is required to offer just compensation, but independent property valuations can help ensure you receive an appropriate offer. Eminent domain valuation can be complex, and you may not have a second chance if you don't like the results of your appraisal. Work with an eminent domain lawyer to ensure you get the right type of appraisal. Negotiate for better terms: Homeowners may be able to contest the initial compensation offer or request relocation assistance depending on state laws and project funding. Stay informed: Attend community meetings to stay updated on project timelines so you can make informed decisions about your property. The Sagamore Bridge project highlights the complexities of eminent domain, a process that affects homeowners nationwide. Whether facing a bridge replacement or another public development, property owners must navigate legal and financial challenges. If you find yourself in a situation similar to these Cape Cod homeowners, stay informed and seek expert guidance to help navigate the process and protect your interests. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? 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CBS News
07-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Families devastated homes will be destroyed for new Cape Cod bridge project
Marc and Joan Hendel moved from the Midwest to their dream home in Sagamore's Round Hill community only three months ago. It is a home they designed and built themselves, with the hopes of growing old there. "We were looking and looking. It was very hard to find a home out here that we could afford on the Cape," said Marc Hendel. The home sits atop a hill on John's Lane, overlooking the Sagamore Bridge, which they describe as an iconic Cape Cod landmark. "Upstairs from this very view, you can see the canal. Another reason why we chose this positioning of our home," said Joan Hendel. Houses to be taken by eminent domain The Hendel's new homeownership bliss was abruptly cut short by a single knock on the door, a visit from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. "A person from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation handed a letter to us. We opened it," said Marc Hendel. "Please accept this letter as notice that your property will be affected by this project," read the letter, in part. The notice informed the couple that the state would be seizing their property through eminent domain as part of a new construction project. "We cried, right, because it's devastating to us. This is heartbreaking to us that they're just coldly giving us a letter that says we're going to destroy your home," said Marc Hendel. According to the MassDOT website, the repossession of the Hendel's home is part of a larger effort to improve traffic congestion coming to and from Cape Cod. The official plan entails tearing down the Sagamore Bridge and building a new, larger bridge even closer to the Hendels' home. The Hendels recently found out that the new bridge will not be constructed on their property, rather the land that formerly contained their home will be used as a lot for equipment and, eventually, a green space. "Basically, they want to use us as a storage property for their heavy equipment," said Joan Hendel. The Hendels are not alone in their battle to save their home; The state is also looking to take the property of many of their neighbors. Many residents in the Round Hill neighborhood have lived there for decades and have no other viable living arrangements. "It's uprooted everything" For more than 60 years, David and Cecilia Collins have called Round Hill home. "My wife has lived here for even longer. Her father was John Gallow, who built this neighborhood," said David Collins. The couple raised their children here and planned to keep their home in the family. "It's uprooted everything that we've ever thought about in our whole lives of having," said David Collins. The determined residents have now joined forces to understand their options amid the threat of eminent domain. "We are speaking up, as a community, as a neighborhood family," said Joan Hendel. According to George McLaughlin, a Boston attorney, the state must prove the project is in the public interest. "With the Sagamore Bridge Project, you're not going to be able to defeat that taking. It's clearly a public purpose, and so the sole issue is, what is the fair market value of the properties taken on the taking date," said McLaughlin. While the Hendels and their neighbors may be forced to sell their homes, they are entitled to determine the fair market price of their homes in court. In a statement from MassDOT, the agency said, "We understand that this can be extremely challenging for impacted property owners, and MassDOT and our representatives are committed to meeting directly with them throughout the process to answer questions and provide information about compensation, timelines, and any necessary relocations."
