‘The legacy ends with me’: Recently widowed Florida woman’s 1800s home may be torn down for a new highway. Here’s how the state could use eminent domain to destroy her house

Officials report the need to reduce traffic

The couple moved the house in 2003 after the original land it sat on was sold to developers.

Relocating the structure was no small feat — it took from July to November to complete, just in time for Thanksgiving.

"That was quite a feat,” Burke told WESH 2. “I think I wired every outlet in the house.”

That effort preserved more than a structure; it preserved a family’s history.

"If the legacy ends with me, that's fine, I'm OK with that," she said. "But the emotional loss, it's like, one more thing. One more thing to break my heart, one more thing to make me just feel a little overwhelmed and sad."

The new roughly two-mile road has a tentative budget of $200 million. The CFX says it will reduce the number of cars per day on Lake Mary Boulevard by nearly half by 2050.

"For those of you who travel in and out of our amazing airport, you know the traffic backs up over there," said Rebekah Arthur, president of the Seminole County Chamber, according to WESH 2. "So this connector is going to be a very needed extension to our airport and will help people come in and out, especially as our sports tourism grows."

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What rights do homeowners have when it comes to eminent domain?

According to the Tampa Bay Times, the CFX estimates it will spend $18.3 million for the acquisition of properties along the right-of-way.

Eminent domain is a legal process that allows governments to take private property for public use, such as highways or bridges, provided the owner is given “just compensation.”

But just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it always feels fair.

Owners like Burke should expect to be paid market value for their homes, but that may not always cover the full cost of relocation or compensate for the emotional stress.

In Florida, property owners have the right to challenge eminent domain in court. They can:

• Dispute the taking itself: This is an option if property owners believe the land isn’t truly needed for a public project.
• Challenge the compensation amount: If the offered payment doesn’t reflect the property’s fair market value, owners can argue for a higher fee.
• Negotiate relocation: Owners can argue that relocation benefits offered are not sufficient.
• Partial takings: When only part of a property is taken, owners can argue that the impact on the remaining property is not being fairly compensated.

If you live or own property in the area, there are steps you can take to have your voice heard.

The CFX will hold two public meetings in July where residents can ask questions and voice concerns about the project.

Attending those meetings is one of the best ways for impacted homeowners to stay informed, get involved, and advocate for better outcomes — whether that means alternate routes or help preserving historic properties.

The Tampa Bay Times says the CFX’s governing board — made up of elected officials from the Central Florida region — will then review the project at its October public meeting.

As for Burke, the future remains uncertain.

“I’m always the one that’s trying to encourage other people and love on them and care for them,” she said. “And now, I’m in this place where I don’t know where God is leading me.”