Demolition crews tore down the last home sitting in a vast and vacant lot bordering the Rookwood Commons area in Norwood today. The homeowner heldout in a years-long fight over the use of eminent domain to be used for a development next to the popular shopping center.
At 9 a.m., the wrecking ball began its work to rip down the home on the lot which is bordered by Edwards and Edmonson Road.
The fight over the land began in 2003 when several homeowners challenged Norwood's use of eminent domain to take their property. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in their favor, but most of the homeowners sold out to the developers anyway.
Last year, the only remaining homeowner sold the home, which sits alone surrounded by fencing, to developers for $1.25 million.
Originally the Rookwood Exchange was planned as a $200 million complex including office space, retail, condos and a hotel. Now the developer Jeffrey Anderson Real Estate says its not clear what form the development will take because of the poor economy.
