Mo. Supreme Court considers eminent domain in smaller cities

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The state Supreme Court hears arguments from a dentist wanting to prevent a St. Louis suburb from taking his property.

An attorney for Homer Tourkakis says the state constitution prevents about 800 cities, including Arnold, from using a law permitting eminent domain for redevelopment projects.

An attorney for the city says eminent domain authority shouldn't be limited to select cities.

There are several grounds to use eminent domain. The law Arnold wants to use allows cities to use it if there are no constitutional prohibitions. The state Constitution permits laws or certain city's ordinances authorizing eminent domain. Tourkakis' attorney argues they don't apply to Arnold.