Eminent Domain and the 2028 Olympics: What Property Owners Should Know
As Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Olympic Games, the city is undergoing a major transformation. Billions of dollars in infrastructure projects are already planned or underway, from transit system upgrades to stadium renovations and new housing developments. These efforts raise serious concerns for property owners who may be affected by property acquisition under eminent domain.
If you’ve received notice of a city hearing, appraisal activity, or an offer to purchase related to Olympic planning, it’s important to seek legal guidance right away.
John Peterson, the Los Angeles real estate attorney at Peterson Law Group PC, has represented property owners in some of the most complex eminent domain cases in California. With decades of experience in eminent domain, inverse condemnation, and land use litigation, we are prepared to help you understand and defend your property rights during this critical period.
Eminent Domain Is on the Rise
Large-scale international events like the Olympics require extensive planning and development. In Los Angeles, that means:
- Expansion of public transportation systems (Metro lines, airport links)
- Renovation or construction of venues and stadiums
- Development of athlete villages, housing, and public spaces
- Traffic flow and street improvements
- Hotel and hospitality expansion
Each of these Olympic development projects may require new land. In many cases, the city or other public agencies will turn to eminent domain to secure that land, especially where voluntary sales are unsuccessful or delays threaten project timelines.
What Is Eminent Domain?
Eminent domain is the government’s constitutional power to acquire private property for a public use, such as transportation, utilities, or public facilities. In exchange, the government must pay the property owner just compensation. The rules governing this process are outlined in both the U.S. Constitution and the California Constitution. Rules for the procedures are further detailed in California eminent domain law.
For the Olympics, the government may argue that infrastructure tied to the games serves a public use, thereby justifying the acquisition. But just because a project is labeled as beneficial to the public, it does not mean it is immune from legal challenge.
Types of Properties That May Be at Risk
If you own property in or near areas like Downtown Los Angeles, Inglewood, Exposition Park, or along major transportation corridors, your land may be targeted for property acquisition.
High-risk categories include:
- Commercial and industrial properties near proposed transit expansion
- Residential properties near venue construction zones
- Mixed-use developments located along Metro rail extensions
- Vacant lots identified for temporary Olympic structures or staging areas
- Older properties marked for demolition or consolidation for new developments
How Olympic Development Projects Can Trigger Eminent Domain
Project Identification
A public agency identifies a need such as expanding a Metro line or building new pedestrian infrastructure to support the 2028 Games.
Planning and Environmental Review
The agency must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other local review procedures. For example, if the property is a designated historic or cultural site, additional protections apply.
Appraisal and Offer
The agency obtains a formal appraisal and they are required to make a good faith offer to purchase the property. This is often where property owners first become aware they are at risk.
Resolution of Necessity
If negotiations fail, the agency may adopt a Resolution of Necessity, which authorizes it to initiate condemnation proceedings.
Litigation
Property owners have the opportunity to challenge the taking, the compensation amount, or both. At Peterson Law Group PC, we have represented clients at every stage of this process, and have successfully challenged improper takings and undervalued offers throughout California.
How to Protect Your Property Rights
Know the Signs of Impending Action
If your property is located in a development corridor, be alert for letters of intent, surveys, or public meeting notices related to Olympic projects. Any contact from a public agency should be taken seriously.
Do Not Accept an Offer Without Legal Review
Agencies are required to pay just compensation, but their definition of “just” often undervalues commercial, income-producing, or uniquely situated properties. Accepting an initial offer without legal representation could cost you significantly.
Challenging the Taking Itself
Not all proposed takings meet the legal definition of public use. If a project primarily benefits private developers or lacks necessity, it may be challenged in court.
Evaluating Loss of Business or Relocation Costs
If you operate a business, your damages may go far beyond the value of the building. You may be entitled to relocation expenses, loss of goodwill, or compensation for equipment or custom installations.
Seek Legal Counsel ASAP
The sooner you engage a Los Angeles eminent domain lawyer, the more time you have to develop a defense strategy, commission independent appraisals, and engage technical experts. Your chances of a favorable outcome improve dramatically with early legal involvement.
The Role of Public-Private Partnerships
Many Olympic-related developments involve public-private partnerships (P3s), where the city partners with private companies for funding and construction. These relationships often complicate the question of public use.
If the primary benefit flows to a private party, the legality of the taking may be disputed. In these cases, courts have increasingly scrutinized the actual necessity and public benefit of the project. This creates an opportunity for well-represented property owners to push back.
Reasons to Choose Our Firm
When it comes to protecting your property against eminent domain, experience matters. John S. Peterson has been named Lawyer of the Year in Los Angeles for Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law by Best Lawyers, and he is an elected member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOT).
Speak With a Trusted Eminent Domain Lawyer in Los Angeles
If your property is in the path of Olympic development, or if you’ve already received notice from a public agency, it’s time to act. The legal landscape surrounding the 2028 Olympics eminent domain Los Angeles issues is rapidly evolving, and you need experienced counsel to protect your stake.
Peterson Law Group PC offers strategic legal guidance for property owners facing property acquisition for infrastructure projects or other government takings.
Call (213) 319-4993 to learn more today.
You have the right to protect what’s yours!
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