North Texas family fighting city of Rowlett over longtime home in eminent domain dispute

The Willis family’s home in Rowlett faces an eminent domain battle as the city plans a road project. They contest the city’s valuation, seeking a higher offer.

ROWLETT, Texas — For the Willis family, their home in Rowlett is worth more than a dollar amount. 

Now, they’re fighting the city over its plans to take the property for a road improvement project.

“This is the family home ever since June of 1962,” Roy Willis said.

The Willis family, including all 14 children, lived in the home even before Lake Ray Hubbard existed.

“My dad, my brother and I, we built this house,” Willis said.

Now, the home sits at the center of an eminent domain dispute. The city wants the property for the Chiesa Road improvement project, but the family says the city’s valuation and offer fall $150,000 short of what they’re asking.

“Give us a fair market value for our property,” Willis said.

Attorney Clint Schumacher, who specializes in eminent domain at Dawson & Sodd PLLC, explained how fair market value is determined. Schumacher or the firm are not part of this case.

“What that basically means is, what does a willing buyer pay to a willing seller if neither one of them had to do the transaction,” Schumacher said.

But for the Willis family, the value of the home goes beyond its market price. Roy Willis’ brother, Timothy Willis, who is disabled and lives on a fixed income, still lives in the house.

“I don’t know how to feel or what to feel…I’m sad,” Timothy Willis said.

The city of Rowlett said it “does not comment on pending or anticipated litigation, including matters that may involve eminent domain proceedings.”

“This is America, we got rights,” Roy Willis said.

Cities also have the authority to take private property for public use, including infrastructure improvements in growing areas.

The family had until last week to accept the city’s offer. The city council will discuss in executive session whether to file an eminent domain lawsuit.

“The city councilmembers will want to know, are the negotiations futile? Have they gone as far they can go?” Schumacher said.

Asked what their father would say about the dispute, Roy Willis recalled his father’s advice with a laugh.

“You know what I taught you boy…use your head for something besides a hat rack,” Roy laughed. “He’d be saying ‘fight like hell.'”

For the Willis family, the eminent domain battle is personal — with the fight over their longtime home hitting close to home, quite literally.