Luther, Oklahoma – A jury has awarded an Oklahoma family nearly $3 million in compensation after they were forced out of their home to make way for the Kickapoo Turnpike. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) sued to seize the Brewer family’s property near Harrah in 2018. After years of negotiations, the family believed they were not offered a fair deal, and the jury unanimously agreed.
The Brewer family’s 46-acre property is now split in half due to the construction of the highway. Their custom three-story home, which overlooked a pond, was demolished. Samantha Brewer, a member of the family, expressed the emotional toll of losing their dream home: “We had it custom built for us to stay in it forever. And they threw it in a trash can.” The construction also caused significant damage to the property, requiring repairs.
The family’s lawyer, Nick Atwood, emphasized the importance of just compensation for families affected by eminent domain: “Our Constitution requires that they be paid just compensation because they’re being asked to make a sacrifice for the entire public.” OTA’s highest offer to the family before litigation was $1.5 million, which they found insulting.
The jury ultimately awarded the Brewer family $2.97 million, but the OTA is considering an appeal. The case reflects a larger issue affecting many Oklahoma families facing similar situations. Kim Ritchie, another lawyer representing the Brewer family, stated that the next turnpike project would result in numerous homes being taken and properties being severed in half.
The Brewer family’s struggle for fair compensation highlights the challenges faced by property owners in eminent domain cases. As they consider their options moving forward, the decision serves as a precedent for future cases involving the OTA and families affected by highway expansions. OTA, with the mission of improving transportation infrastructure, must balance the needs of the public with the rights of property owners.