Brown & Vaughn Development Co. v. Commonwealth

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Musmanno,

The power of eminent domain is one of the most awesome as well as arbitrary rights of government. By it the State may take a citizen’s property, whether or not he approves of the taking. However, the citizen has a right equally as awesome and that is, his government must pay him the value of the property taken. What represents that value sometimes develops into a legal controversy. It has so developed here.

In extending MeKnight Road, a fine 80-foot boulevard carrying traffic from Pittsburgh into the beautiful North Hills area of Allegheny County, the…