Family Fights To Keep Riverfront Land Near Hastings

HASTINGS, (AP) - A family is fighting to hold onto their 10 acres of prime riverfront property near Hastings.

Dakota County officials will go to court next week to begin the process of taking the private property for public use under the concept of eminent domain. The county wants the property for a Mississippi River trail that includes a park.

Joni Sargent and her sister, Nancy Drews, say their father left the property to their family when he died three years ago. They are willing to give up a couple of acres, but want to hold on to a part of their family's land.

Sargent says the county has offered $370,000 for the property, but says it's worth more than $1 million.

The county is facing a March 31 deadline to obtain $3 million in federal grants for the project.