Bower threatens lawsuit over eminent domain proposal for Utica hospital

Syracuse-based Bowers Development has a signed purchase agreement for 411 Columbia St. in Utica, city officials said. But if the Oneida County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA) follows through with possible eminent domain to acquire the property for the Mohawk Valley Health System, the developer may seek legal remedies against OCIDA.  OCIDA voted August 20 to have staff look into the legal right to use eminent domain to acquire the property, which is currently home to J.P. O’Brien Plumbing and Heating and is within the hospital footprint.  Hospital officials said the Columbia Street property is imperative to the plans for a Medical Office Building (MOB) that have been in the works for years.    The hospital’s site plans include the property and other…