ODOT floods court with eminent domain cases for US6 project

State suing Cedar Point and other businesses and homeowners

SANDUSKY — The Ohio Department of Transportation is taking decisive legal action to secure the land needed for the highly anticipated $34.6 million U.S. 6 Connectivity Corridor project, filing eminent domain lawsuits against dozens of property owners along the vital Cleveland Road stretch in Erie County.

A recently filed list of court cases reveals the immense scope of the project’s impact, targeting nearly 60 parcels held by a remarkably diverse group of owners, from major tourism operators and local government entities to small businesses and private homeowners.

Larry Oldaker, a resident who will lose two thirds of his front yard ‘and two-thirds the value of my home, stands where the new boundary will go if the Ohio Department of Transportation gets a favorable court ruling. (Photo/Gary Livingston)

The legal action indicates that negotiated land acquisition failed for these specific properties, leaving the courts to determine “just compensation” for the land or easements required for the multi-year highway improvement.

Key targets: Cedar Point, Metroparks, major brands

The list of impacted properties underscores the strategic importance of the corridor, which serves as a gateway to the region’s $11 billion tourism economy. Among the most high-profile owners facing eminent domain cases are: