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November 28, 2009

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Check on the way to Serpa after judge rejects condemnation motion

Friday, Nov. 5, 1999 | 10:44 a.m.

The state plans to build an interchange connecting the bypass with U.S. 395 and the Spooner Summit interchange at U.S. 50 on the land.

But the price has been the focus of a legal battle since the Nevada Department of Transportation condemned the land in 1994.

State appraisers said the property was worth only $1.75 million, but owner John Serpa's appraisers said the value was at least $3.5 million and could be more than $6 million.

A Carson City jury agreed with Serpa in September, setting the land value at $5.8 million. The state then asked Judge Griffin to either toss that verdict out or arbitrarily cut the amount to a maximum of $3.5 million.

Griffin refused Thursday. Since the state was required to post the money for the property by Nov. 2, that means the state had to cut a check and get it over to the court.

"They have to pay before they can appeal," said Serpa's lawyer, Laura FitzSimmons.

Deputy Attorney General Pierre Gezelin said the state has not yet decided whether to appeal.

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