[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Sometimes, corrupt local Governments will authorize eminent domain or tax-free municipal bonds to build retail stores, claiming that they are needed for the best interest of the local community. Usually, it is not a good application of eminent domain.

But, when the Corps of Engineers builds a dam to protect millions of dollars worth of downstream private property from flood damage, they need to create a lake upstream of the dam. In that case, they need to purchase a large number of houses using eminent domain. Without the power of eminent domain, most flood control dams could never be built.

Agreed. There are lots of good uses for it but have heard of some terrible ones.