The Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority is currently deliberating a resolution to seize seven lots in Mangilao through Eminent Domain for the purposes of the new hospital.

During a GHURA board of commissioners meeting today, commissioners are in talks to condem the following seven lots: Lot 5327-4-R5, Lot 5327-4-2, Lot 5327-4-3, Lot 5327-4-4, Lot 5327-4-5, Lot 5328-REM-R2, and Lot 5328-REM-2.

Two of those lots are owned by Dr. Joel Joseph, a veterinarian who established Wise Owl Animal Hospital.

“My property is not a slum or a blighted area,” Dr. Joseph said during the meeting.

He feels GHURA is rushing and trying to ‘steal’ his property.

“How would you feel? How would anyone feel if the people were 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?” he added.“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few,” said Nate Sanchez, Vice Chairman of GHURA.

GHURA finds that all reasonable attempts for land purchase were made and that the heavy decision to acquire these properties through eminent domain is necessary.

They add that plans outlined in the 2022 Guam Medical Campus Master Plan would better serve the community by way of island-wide access to healthcare with future consideration of healthcare access to special populations, such as the elderly and veterans.

In addition, GHURA says that the opportunities for new infrastructure, economic development, and future attainable housing developments would further benefit the community.

The land is being proposed as part of the site of the new hospital located along Route 15.

Meantime, Commissioners already approved an amended resolution accepting a total of $12.5 million worth of funds for the acquisition of the Mangilao properties.

The Governor plans to start construction in 2025.