Poll:
Do you believe ACHD should be able to seize Dan Luke's property for the roundabout at Eagle and Amity roads?
ADA COUNTY -- An Ada County man is fighting back against a proposed roundabout by the Ada County Highway District that would take away some of his land.
Dan Luke has lived at his home at the intersection of Amity and Eagle roads since 1948. When he found out ACHD had a plan to put in an roundabout there that would take away some of his land, he went to work spray painting signs and putting out old mannequins to get his message across that he won’t sell.
“I've worked real hard for this place and now it seems they're just taking it,” said Luke.
ACHD says the roundabout is needed there because of the increasing traffic in the area. In order to make room for the new road, a portion of Luke’s land would have to be purchased by ACHD, bringing the road closer to his house.
ACHD would pay for the property, but Luke claims it's not enough.
“I know that times are hard but they're not going to take advantage of me. I’ll guarantee you they’re not,” said Luke.
Luke says ACHD is offering less than a dollar per square foot, which would total around $18,000. Luke has decided to demonstrate his frustration with the project by placing signs around his property.
“I'm so riled up I can't sleep. The only thing I can do is put stuff out and hopefully they'll get the idea that less than a dollar a square foot ain't right. It really ain't and that's my opinion,” said Luke.
ACHD spokesman Craig Quintana says the money they've offered for Luke's property is fair.
“By law we have to offer fair market value, so really when we're entering into these negotiations with people we go out and get an independent appraisal and that's essentially what we base our offers on,” said Quintana.
Quintana says Luke can get his own appraisal and then negotiate with them on a price, but that’s something Luke says he can’t afford.
“I'm below poverty,” said Luke. “I've got to show people how I feel. I need some help. I don't want somebody taking me."
Luke also has two cows and two llamas that he's worried will not have enough room if the project is completed.
He says he's going to continue to fight as long as he can.
