Cade Murphy
BUAD 315
12/5/2021
Kelo v. City of New London Case Brief
Facts
New London, Connecticut used eminent domain to seize private property to sell to private
developers. They said it would create jobs and increase tax revenues. Susette Kelo and others
whose property was seized, sued New London. They argued that the city violated the 5 th
Amendment’s takings clause, which guaranteed that the government would not take private
property for public use without fair compensation. They also argued that the city didn’t use the
private land for public use. The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled for New London.
Issue
Did New London violate the Fifth Amendment’s takings clause if they used the taken private
property for private development, with the hopes that it would help the local economy?
Decision
No.
Reasons
The court ruled that the private development qualified as a “public use.” The city was not taking
the land for the benefit of a few individuals, but rather for economic development.