Hundreds of property owners could be forced to sell their land for NCDOT project

MATTHEWS, N.C. – Hundreds of property owners could be in the path of a construction project down Independence Boulevard between Charlotte and Matthews. NCDOT crews will widen Independence between 277 and 485 and some property owners will be forced to sell their land for the project.

More than 200 residential and commercial property owners are in path of the project.

“They’ll take your land and they’ll give you nothing for it if you let them and I don’t like that,” Mike Todd, Property Owner said.

By 2027, crews will begin widening the six mile stretch of Independence with plans for new roads, bridges and interchanges. Mike Todd says his land has been acquired by NCDOT in the past.

“I am certain that they will take some of my property,” Todd said. “I’m fearful that they will leave me with no access.”

NCDOT will exercise eminent domain to force some property owners to release their land for a price. NC Eminent Domain Law Firm hosted a seminar Thursday night to inform owners of their rights.

“The property owner needs to be aware of that and have the knowledge obtained so that they can negotiate on equal footing with North Carolina Department of Transportation to ensure that they are getting fair market value for the property at the time,” Bert Concepcion from NC Eminent Domain Law Firm said.

Attorneys say NCDOT has a budget of more than $198 million dollars to buy property. They say owners can expect a written offer from ncdot that is open for negotiation. Lawyers say owners often leave money on the table.

“It’s either a negotiated settlement or they’re going to file a lawsuit, a condemnation lawsuit giving them the right to acquire the property,” Concepcion said.

Attorneys say NCDOT has the right to take your property but you should know your rights before accepting an offer.

“I don’t think it’s right that I have to hire lawyers, but if you go to court without one they’ll take you to the cleaners,” Todd said.

Lawyers say NCDOT is in the acquistion stages of the project which means impacted property owners will start getting letters in the mail with offers to buy properties soon.

The project is scheduled to start by 2027.