Dear Newsroom,

I'm a homeowner in the Canterbury neighborhood of Indianapolis, and I'm writing to share a serious concern affecting my family and several of our neighbors.

The City is moving forward with a plan to widen the Monon Trail by just 2 feet, yet it is seeking to take 33 feet of land, cutting several feet into our backyards. The offers made are far below fair market value, and we've been told that if we don't accept them, eminent domain proceedings may follow.

We fully support the Monon Trail and the idea of a modest expansion. It's a vital part of our community, and a 2-foot widening is a reasonable goal. However, the City's approach feels aggressive, disproportionate, and fundamentally unfair. They have offered no clear explanation for why such a large amount of land is needed for such a minor change and they've been unwilling to engage in good-faith dialogue with affected homeowners.

This feels like government overreach disguised as public development, and we are left with few options other than bringing public attention to what's happening.

Best regards,

Andy O'Bryan

Canterbury Resident, Indianapolis IN