Citrus Grove Taking

After earmarking the property for acquisition for several years, the federal government condemned an 820 acre citrus grove located just west of Wellington in Palm Beach County in 2000. The property was condemned for construction of Stormwater Treatment Area 1-East for everglades restoration. The government’s initial offer to the property owner was approximately $6,065,000. The government valued the property based upon continued use as an orange grove. The owner contended that the property’s highest and best use was for residential development. After a three-week trial in federal court , the jury rendered a verdict in the amount of $ 22,700,000.