TAMPA — Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and Cascade Investment still need access to a small piece of land for a key road in their $2 billion waterfront redevelopment.
But there’s a problem: The owner of the neighboring ConAgra flour mill controls the parcel. So far, talks between the mill owner and the Vinik-Cascade partnership have fallen short of a deal.
If all else fails, City Hall might go to court to secure the access through eminent domain — a legal process that generally means the government pays for something seen as having a public benefit.
“That is an option,” says Mayor Bob Buckhorn. “It is the least desirable option.”