Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority v. Drinkwater, Taylor & Merrill, Inc.

These consolidated appeals arise out of condemnation proceedings initiated by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority (the stadium authority) to acquire various parcels of property for use in constructing new stadiums for the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Tigers. The stadium authority acquired several parcels without the need for condemnation. The present cases involve properties for which condemnation actions were necessary because the property owners refused the stadium authority’s good-faith offers. Defendants did not contest the necessity of the takings and, therefore, the trial court…