Midwest City begins condemnation process for former mall property

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

Midwest City leaders are moving forward with eminent domain proceedings to acquire the former Heritage Park Mall property.

The Midwest City Urban Renewal Authority recently filed a lawsuit in Oklahoma District Court after the owner of the property rejected an offer of nearly $6 million.

In the Oct. 21 petition, the Urban Renewal Authority is asking the district court judge to appoint three commissioners to inspect the property and determine just compensation. A hearing to appoint the commissioners has been set for Dec. 10 at 1 p.m.

All parties will have 30 days after the commissioners’ report is completed to file a written challenge.

Ahmad Bahreini, ABAB, Inc., and Shakiba Nasser were named in the lawsuit.

Midwest City has been attempting to acquire the property through use of Urban Renewal laws. The city had the former shopping center property appraised and made a “good faith offer” of $5,957,000 in June. The offer included the main mall property, and former Montgomery Wards and What-A-Burger building.

The city plans to demolish the buildings to redevelop and revitalize the site, located near Reno Ave. and Air Depot Blvd.

Bahreini strongly rejected the city’s offer and attempts to acquire the property in a letter dated Sept. 30. Bahreini said any attempted sale or transfer of without his consent is “unauthorized, illegal and void.” He demands that the city force the sale of the property, saying, “continued efforts will result in legal action to protect ABAB Inc.’s rights and interests.”

Eminent domain is a tool that allows governments to take private property for public use, while providing just compensation to the owner.