Losing a home to eminent domain hurts and leaving is costly
BOTHELL — Bruce Gutschmidt isn’t sure how he’s going to move.
He’s among the homeowners in the North Creek area whose property is being condemned by the Everett School District to make way for a new high school.
It’s more than simple nostalgia making it difficult for Gutschmidt to leave the family home of 50 years. It’s money.
“I just want to be treated fairly,” the 57-year-old said from his living room Tuesday, before traveling to Everett to appeal for the school board’s help. “If I was, I wouldn’t be doing this.”
The district’s buyout offer, which he’s disputing, won’t pay for a comparable home. He and his partner don’t earn enough money to qualify for an apartment lease. Another stumbling block: When the school board voted to use eminent domain, back in September, they opted out of paying relocation expenses.
With a yard stocked with cars, a motorhome, travel trailer, ham radio equipment and more, Gutschmidt is worried about the March 30 move-out date.
“To have to move it by myself, that’s more than I can do in a couple of months,” he said.
A state law would have allowed the district to reimburse Gutschmidt and his neighbors for reasonable relocation expenses, property lost as a result of the move or impacts to business. They declined. He wants them to reconsider.
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