County of Los Angeles v. Signal Realty Co.

The respondent filed suit in eminent domain for condemnation of five feet along the northerly boundary of certain real property of appellant Signal Realty Company, on the southerly side of Florence Avenue, extending easterly 160 feet from Long Beach Boulevard, in the city of Los Angeles, for the purpose of widening Florence Avenue. Appellant Realty Company was also the owner of a two-story brick and terra cotta building, which extended 152 feet easterly on Florence Avenue and 122 feet southerly on Long Beach Boulevard. Appellant Culver occupied a portion of said building, including the corner, in which he maintained a drug-store and storeroom, under a five-year lease with an option of renewal for a like term, which said lease had been in effect for a period of two years. Referees appointed by the court reported that the appellant Realty Company was entitled to damages for the value of land to be taken in the sum of $6,023, and for reconstruction of the improvements by use of old material, $24,483, or a total of $30,506. Appellant Culver was awarded nothing. Exceptions to the referees’ report having been filed, the court heard evidence and concluded that the Realty Company was…