'Rushed': Landowners oppose GovGuam's condemnation of Mangilao properties

Rushed and left without the ability to protect their properties.

Those are the common sentiments heard from land owners whose properties are expected to be seized by the Government of Guam.

Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority approved a resolution to condemn seven lots for the construction of a new hospital and related capital projects through Eminent Domain during a board meeting on Tuesday.

Dr. Joel Joseph, a veterinarian who established Wise Owl Animal Hospital, owns two of those lots.  

“It just sounds like you’re trying to, please don’t take this wrong, but steal things from us before we have any information,” said Joseph. 

He wants to wait for his own appraisal to verify the accuracy of GovGuam’s offer, which he rejected. 

“How would you feel? How would anyone feel if the people were just taking your property for Eminent domain for a hospital that is not wanted by the medical community, that the hospital is not what the physicians say they need,” added Joseph. 

Guam Medical Association member Dr. Hoa Nguyen was also at the meeting to speak up in opposition. 

“Like everyone said, it’s a big rush. I think a lot of planning needs to be done. The bottom line is that taking the land from the private property (owners) should be the last resort,” said Nguyen. 

But GHURA Vice Chair Nate Sanchez said the rush is necessary.  

“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Our generation and the coming generations are going to look forward to the day where they won’t have to go off island for their medical treatment. They’re going to be here,” said Sanchez. 

About 6 months ago, GHURA accepted a loan offered by Governor Lou Leon Guerrero for the capital projects. 

GHURA Deputy Director Fernando Esteves said if they don’t use the American Rescue Plan funds set aside by the Governor for the new hospital by Dec. 31, the money will be gone.

Meantime, here’s what Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio had this to say in an interview with KUAM. 

“GHURA has different things they are looking at, not only are they looking at the land for the hospital and the medical complex, but they are also looking for places to develop residential and mixed-use development going into that area. I’d say that GHURA has a law to follow. They have very strict parameters within the law and there’s a lot of due process involved. I hope that there will be a mutual resolution between all parties,” said Tenorio. 

The situation got the attention of Senator Chris Barnett who said in part, “The challenges at GMH are clear, and we do need a new hospital, but that does not mean we should use government overreach to bulldoze over the rights of our people.”

Meantime, the land owners are expected to get just compensation to be determined by a Superior Court of Guam judge.