The City of Winchester has filed legal documents to obtain two properties on Lincoln Street through eminent domain.

The city has been acquiring property along the one-lane street throughout 2019 as part of a project to rebuild the neighborhood, from widening the street to redrawing property lines and building new homes.

The city filed the petition for 24 and 26 Lincoln St. Tuesday in Clark Circuit Court.

Winchester City Manager Matt Belcher said the city had negotiated with the owners of both properties, but could not settle on a price.

“We made offers and never could come to an agreement on a purchase price,” Belcher said. “(Condemnation) in standard operating procedure when we get these block grants.”

Condemnation is a legal process  to obtain property. Belcher said the owners will be compensated for their property, but the case will go through Clark Circuit Court.

In March 2018, the City of Winchester received a $1 million community development block grant from the Kentucky Department of Local Government to begin work on one side of Lincoln Street as phase one. The opposite side will be in another phase of the project.

During the last year or so, the city has purchased about a dozen houses and lots along the street with grant funds. Belcher said 24 and 26 Lincoln St. may be the last two properties needed for the first phase of the project.

The city also donated a lot it owned at 20 Lincoln St. to the project.

Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties has pledged to build five new homes along Lincoln Street as well.

The city is asking the court to appoint three impartial Clark County landowners to act as court commissioners and enter an order for the city’s right to take the property, upon payment of costs and compensation.