Orem may use its power of eminent domain to acquire the property it needs for the improved 1600 North freeway offramp, but it's purely a friendly move.

Officials for the city explained recently that negotiations with Dixie Leavitt of the Bowen-Leavitt Insurance Agency have gone well, but the owners prefer the city to take the property.City Manager Jim Reams said when the threat of eminent domain is part of the scenario, there are some tax options available to the owner of a property that aren't otherwise open.

"They've been very cooperative with the city," he said.

The city will pay fair market value as determined by a court, Reams said. He said he isn't sure the city will need to carry through with its threat but needs council authorization just in case.

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The Utah Department of Transportation is improving the northbound offramp from I-15 to 1600 North. To provide for the realignment, Orem needs a parcel of land approximately 15,000 square feet near the intersection, which is owned by the insurance agency.

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