THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, October 22, 1996             TAG: 9610220243
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   56 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** A MetroNews story Tuesday about a condemnation suit involving two brothers and the city of Suffolk contained an error. Glenn O. Brown wasn't contacted by The Virginian-Pilot, as reported in the story. Correction published Wednesday, October 23, 1996. ***************************************************************** BROTHERS JOIN LEGAL DISPUTE OVER CONDEMNED SUFFOLK PROPERTY THE OWNERS CLAIM THE CITY UNFAIRLY SEIZED THEIR DOWNTOWN LAND FOR A PARKING LOT.

Two brothers whose property stands in the way of the planned downtown courts complex parking lot will have a condemnation hearing today to determine whether the city has the right to take their land.

Louis Lafayette Brown and his brother, Glenn O. Brown, own a boarded-up property in the 100 block of East Washington Street. For the past several months, Louis Brown, who also owns a barbershop in the 500 block of East Washington, had been negotiating with the city over the property.

The city filed court papers in March beginning condemnation proceedings.

According to court papers, the Browns will argue today that the city improperly served the papers that began the process and that there were other errors in the petition to allow the city to take the property.

The Browns join William E. Beamon Jr. in fighting the city's efforts to condemn land for the court center's parking lot.

Beamon, who owns Hot Spot Records and Tapes, has been battling the city to keep it from tearing down his business on East Washington to make way for parking for the $14 million Mills E. Godwin Courts Complex on Main Street.

Beamon has argued that the city arbitrarily targeted him and about a half-dozen mostly African-American-owned businesses along Washington for urban renewal. He has filed a $3.1 million federal suit charging racial discrimination.

However, his condemnation matter hasn't yet been settled in Suffolk Circuit Court.

Last month, Circuit Judge Rodham T. Delk set Beamon's trial for Jan. 21. The city had tried to ``quick take'' Beamon's property, but Delk ruled there must first be a condemnation hearing, and the state Supreme Court declined to intervene. Beamon will begin discovery proceedings on his case next week.

Both Browns declined to comment for this story. They retained the same lawyer as Beamon, Joseph T. Waldo, who also would not comment. Assistant City Attorney Kay W. Rudiger couldn't be reached Monday.

According to court papers, the city contends it needs the Brown property because a ``public necessity exists for construction'' and because the complex is ``for public use.''

Court papers indicate the city had offered the Browns $19,500 for their property in the 100 block of East Washington Street.

KEYWORDS: LAWSUIT SUFFOLK COURTS COMPLEX CONDEMNED PROPERTY by CNB