UMVA has uncovered a shocking story of government overreach and disregard for private property rights in downtown Phoenix, Arizona.
An 89-year-old man, Robert Young, has lived in the historic Louis Emerson House since 1975, dedicating himself to preserving its rich history and character. The home, built in 1902, is one of the last surviving pre-statehood single-family residences in the area, a testament to a bygone era when Phoenix was still a young territory town.
However, Arizona State University and the Arizona Board of Regents have filed a condemnation lawsuit, seeking to use eminent domain to forcibly take the house from Young, citing the need for the land to complete its sprawling new downtown health campus and medical school complex.
The $200 million project includes a five-story, 170,000-square-foot facility for the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering, with groundbreaking already held in April. The university claims it needs "immediate possession," disregarding Young's rights as a private property owner.
Young has been offered a paltry sum of $190,000 for the property, which he refused, citing the significant costs of relocating the house, estimated to be between $2 million and $3 million. A precondemnation appraisal valued the 833-square-foot house and its 4,642-square-foot lot at $850,000, but Young's attachment to the property goes far beyond monetary value.
The case has drawn national attention, with lawmakers and citizens alike condemning Arizona State University's actions as a blatant disregard for private property rights. Rep. Tim Burchett has spoken out against the university, calling eminent domain "theft" and urging the university to rethink its decision.
Young's determination to preserve the Louis Emerson House is not just about saving a piece of history, but about standing up for his rights as a private property owner. With a petition gathering 600 signatures and the support of Preserve Phoenix, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and protecting historical buildings, neighborhoods, and districts, Young's fight is far from over.
