People in Mastic Beach, on Long Island, say they could lose their homes and businesses to a major redevelopment plan, according to News 12.
The neighborhood road redevelopment project calls for more than 550 new housing units, along with new restaurants, community spaces and infrastructure, in a significant reshaping of the area.
Several people told News 12 that they recently received letters saying the town could acquire their properties through eminent domain in order to make the project happen.
Business owners in particular said they felt they were being undervalued, with one questioning how a figure like 700,000 dollars could be expected to buy a business that people depend on for their paychecks.
The company leading the project, Beachwood, said that eminent domain seizures would be a last resort rather than a first step in acquiring the properties.
Town Supervisor Dan Panico said he was hopeful that Beachwood would be conscious of residents' concerns as the plan moves forward.