Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules for Land Condemnation in Sidewalk Case

The semantics of whether or not a sidewalk is a pedestrian way were the subject of the split 4–3 ruling by the high court.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court listens to arguments during a hearing at the state Capitol in Madison, Wis., on Nov. 21, 2023. Ruthie Hauge/The Capital Times via AP, Pool

The Wisconsin Supreme Court decided in a split ruling on June 19 that under state law, a “pedestrian way” is not considered a sidewalk.

The decision answered what had been a convoluted issue for lower courts and now allows for local governments to use eminent domain to take a piece of land from a business.