Eminent Domain Case Draws Lawsuit

Two Riviera Beach residents are suing the city to overturn a contentious contract to build a multibillion-dollar waterfront project that could displace hundreds of citizens.

Fane Lozman and Virginia Merchant allege the city violated state Sunshine laws, which call for advance public notice of city meetings.

Mayor Michael Brown called a special meeting in May so the city and Viking Inlet Harbor Properties could sign the contract to develop the project. It called for some residents to be removed from their properties if they refused to sell.

Governor Jeb Bush has criticized the meeting and has sought legal advice from the state attorney general's office.