Texas AG Seeks 'Immediate' Seizure of Crown Castle Land for Road Project

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) sought a court order Thursday granting the state immediate possession of property owned by Crown Castle and other entities in Galveston County for a highway improvement project, said his petition (docket CV-0091156) in Galveston County Court. The state made a “bona fide” offer to acquire the property under Texas’ property code, but plaintiff and defendants have been unable to agree on the value of the real estate “to be condemned” or the damages resulting from the state’s acquisition, Paxton said. He asked that special commissioners be appointed, as provided by law, to assess the owners’ damages and to grant the state immediate possession -- pending the results of further litigation -- upon its deposit of the amount of damages awarded and costs awarded to property owners, with the court subject to the order of the property owners. Crown Castle didn't comment