State Fairs and Eminent Domain
Little Rock is facing a problem which must be dealt with in many States. A State Fair tradition is a pride for a major city in almost every State. Yet, State Fairs are slowly losing their way. The county fairs bring enough people and revenue that there is always a challenge to the state fair. Many state fairs, originally located on large expanses of land, now must face the fact that they simply are not "big enough" to be successful. Little Rock is having such a problem. In other States, such as Michigan, the State Fair located in Detroit simply ended. The tradition lost too much money and just was not a profitable use of land.
The potential expansion and subject of eminent domain has been a really hot topic in recent months as people watch the Little Rock Technology Authority to see if people will be displaced when the board decides on a final location. The same could happen if the state fair board decides to expand at it's current location.
Mayor Stodola told the crowd it's not the city's decision, but like the Tech Park, the fair is run by a board with eminent domain power through the state. Mayor Stodola also shared that he advised part of the airports expansion and hopes to see whichever road the fair takes, go as smoothly and fairly.
"They developed their master plan, they did it according to some very good principals that's said nobody would be moved until they had replacement housing they were satisfied with, that it was safe decent and an improvement over what they had. I would hope whether that's the state tech park authority or if it's state fair board that they would have the same kind of guiding principals and certainly I will be advocating that," he said.
