Ohio Family Loses Second Home in Pigeon Forge Battle with City

The City of Pigeon Forge in Tennessee has stirred controversy after invoking eminent domain to acquire a vacation home owned by an Ohio family, Doug and Mika Race, as part of the expansion project for the Westside Connector, aimed at easing traffic congestion along the city’s bustling Parkway.

According to the Races, who chronicled their ordeal through a series of YouTube videos, the city’s actions in seizing their property were unjust and without proper compensation.

However, the city officials present a different narrative, asserting that the property purchased by the Races for $306,000 had been revalued at $489,665. The officials claim that multiple offers were made to the family, starting at $490,000 and escalating to $539,000, which the Races countered with an exorbitant demand of $1.5 million.

In response to the standing offers, the city mentioned that discussions had been ongoing since March 2023, which culminated in the city taking possession of the property after the Races refused to engage with potential remedies such as renting out the space temporarily for income.

The disputed property, located at 362 Ogle Dr., became a focal point when plans for the Westside Connector, including routing it through the Races’ property, were approved during a Pigeon Forge City Commission meeting in November 2021. Notably, the Races purchased the property in August 2022, months after the approval.

The city emphasized that they had diligently tried to reach a resolution with the Races since March 2023. However, due to the continued impasse in negotiations, the city proceeded with legal actions to acquire the property through eminent domain.

Official documents reveal that the property was appraised at $489,665 as commercial space, with the city initially offering $490,000, which led to prolonged back-and-forth negotiations resulting in the final $539,000 offer before the property was eventually seized.

In a statement issued by the city, they reaffirmed the necessity of eminent domain in such instances and highlighted the extensive efforts made to compensate the Races adequately, ultimately leading to the property’s acquisition.