“To Me, It’s A Mansion”: Widow Begs To Keep Home Of 55 Years Amid Highway Construction Plans
A woman from Kentucky, USA, is fighting to keep one of the few things she has left of her late husband after learning that a new highway expansion is planned to pass right through her house.
Janet Arnett purchased the 63 acres on the Mountain Parkway in Salyers back in 1969 along with her late spouse, Lowell.
The couple lived in different mobile homes on the property before constructing the house in 1998.
- A Kentucky widow is fighting to keep her home of 55 years from being destroyed by a highway expansion project.
- Janet Arnett's home, built with her late husband in 1998, symbolizes a family's legacy.
- Despite being offered compensation, Arnett values the emotional connection to her home over the money.
“It’s a small house, but to me, it’s a mansion,” the 76-year-old woman said.
Letting go of the Magoffin County home would be challenging, not only for Arnett but also for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They, too, hold treasured memories associated with the residence.
A woman from Kentucky is facing eviction due to a highway expansion project in the Magoffin County
Image credits: New York Post
“When I was growing up, mamaw’s house was always this place of refuge,” Arnett’s granddaughter, Zoe Parker, explained.
“We cooked together. And this is where I grew up playing in the creek, catching crawdads, and catching lightning bugs.
“This was our epicenter of our family. And Mamaw’s house will always be Mamaw’s house- whether it’s right where it is or it’s down near the road—but it’s tough if Mamaw’s house gets bulldozed.”
In January, the family received the unsettling news: their home stood in the way of the plans to expand a “four-lane, undivided, limited-access highway” that spans from US 460 in Salyersville (Magoffin County) to KY 404 in Prestonsburg.
Janet Arnett purchased the 63 acres on the Mountain Parkway in Salyers back in 1969 with her late husband
Image credits: Janet Cheek Arnett
The development would require the demolition of the home, which Arnett took care of after her husband passed away unexpectedly in 2015.
“We don’t want her to be collateral damage for a project that has been in the works for years,” said her daughter, Lanessa DeMarchis.
Arnett requested that the highway be built in front of or behind the home. However, she was told that development and structural issues complicated that alternative.
“I mean, if [they] want to build the road, that’s fine. But just leave me alone. Build it in front of me; build it behind me. You know, I just want to stay at my house. Here,” she pleaded.
“Why did it have to come through my house?”
“It’s a small house, but to me, it’s a mansion,” the 76-year-old woman said
Image credits: New York Post
The family said they have contacted the county, the transportation cabinet, local representatives, and Gov. Andy Beshear’s office, asking them to review their situation. So far, they haven’t felt like their emotional attachment to the home was considered in their plan.
Arnett isn’t interested in the money she was offered for the property. “She wants to live her remaining years in her home,” DeMarchis said.
“And for us to see her go through that, it breaks our heart. I mean, it’s almost unimaginable what they’re putting her through right now.
“So, we’re just asking for them to think what it really means.”
The family said they have contacted the county, the transportation cabinet, and Gov. Andy Beshear’s office, but their situation hasn’t been reviewed
Image credits: New York Post
The desperate family has launched an online campaign and a petition titled “Save Mamaw’s House from the Highway Expansion” to protect their home.
“They are forcing her to move. They will bulldoze her house to the ground,” the petition, written by Arnett’s granddaughter, reads.
“This is the house we raised our kids in. This is the house where we hid Easter eggs, celebrated birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
“This is the house where ALL of us escaped to when life just got too complicated.
“Yes, they are ‘buying’ it from her. But, she doesn’t care about the money. She wants to live her remaining years in her home.
“We have tried EVERY option to prevent this from happening. Can you imagine this happening to your 76-year-old widowed mom?”
Arnett’s fervent wish is to celebrate many more birthdays, Thanksgivings, and Christmases at her home.
“I’m 76. You know, I’m not gonna be around too much longer,” she said. “Why can’t I stay here in the house? My house.”
People supported Arnett’s cause and her wish to protect her family history
"Eminent," the notion that some people are more important others, including that the many are more important than the few. (Spock WILLINGLY died for others, so that's different than the government insisting on eminent domain.)
Load More Replies...
They want to so this ito the Pasadena freeway in CA. That freeway is very old and was never meant be a major traffic zone so houses are literally right up to the edge of it. Expanding it would mean forcing SO many families out of their homes. I'm glad it has been voted down each time, but it is only a matter of time as it's literally been decades of the LA county trying to push it through
google Akron Ohio Innerbelt The highway,. the bar is a great place too. The way people were displaced was awful. i've worked and had friends who lived in that area college aged. it's a beautiful area.
An article about the Innerbelt made me finally understand the racial component to the highways-are-racist story: A lot of black homes were cheaper to own due to suppressed home values, which was important because a black person earning the same wages as a white person had more difficulty getting mortgages. When white people had to move, and yes, plenty of white people were moved to make way for expressways, they were able to buy equally nice or nicer homes in the suburbs with the money they received. But because home values were suppressed in black neighborhoods, they weren't able to simply find a new neighborhood where they could afford a similar home.
Load More Replies... Appeal to Pres Biden or Sec of Transportation Pete Buttigieg? See, the current administration had adopted the notion that it was horribly racist to have built interstate highways through cities, because they isolated neighborhoods. So I kinda wrestle with the notion of flat-out necessity vs limited government power. (Despite BP's contention that we over-invested in cars, the current urban highway system dramatically UNDERSERVES its intent; people would DESPERATELY welcome alternatives.) But the highway between Saylersville and Prestonberg already averages over 50 MPH and it is lightly used nonetheless. Seems like above all else, putting an expressway would be a colossal waste of money, which in turn makes me think the State government simply wants to enrich the developers who pay for their campaigns.
Seriously, who TF downvoted this? Did I offend a corrupt local official? Or a local developer who corrupted them? UPDATE: I didn't mean to express skepticism towards claims that the interstate highway construction had disparate racial impact; in fact, I had meant to express sympathy for people objecting to government forcing them to move. But an article about the Innerbelt made me finally understand the racial component to the highways-are-racist story: A lot of black homes were cheaper to own due to suppressed home values, which was important because a black person earning the same wages as a white person had more difficulty getting mortgages. When white people had to move, and yes, plenty of white people were moved to make way for expressways, they were able to buy equally nice or nicer homes in the suburbs with the money they received. But because home values were suppressed in black neighborhoods, they weren't able to simply find a new neighborhood where they could afford a similar home.
Load More Replies...
Wonder if a Vogon constructor fleet is even now making its way to Earth
Why is this a surprise to anyone? It can literally happen to anyone (in practically any country). If the government need the land for a major project they will claim it. Just be glad you're in a country where they actively try to give you reasonable value for the land, they don't just take it and say "Sucks to be you".
Why not just move the entire house somewhere else on the 63 acres??? My father purchased a house 30 miles away, had it moved, then had it set on another foundation on his property. No, it wasn't a mobile home. The house had to be "cut" into pieces to make the move.
z This is what our government does.It appears to me the only way to fight back is with our right to vote. Isn't about time to start using that right? The only right they haven't taken away from us. Get out there and vote and stop the crazy party voting. It's time to let them know that we know they don't care about us, just the power and money we have given them to spend 40 years in an office.
Yeah. They did that for the H1 in Hawaii. Now they doing that for the rail. Why plan on something, just to have it taken away. Just because it's in the way of progress.
How much have they offered ? If it's enough move, if not get a solicitor and fight.
There is an Australian film called “The Castle”…. It is basically this lady’s story. A funny film, but has the exact same messaging. She may benefit from watching it for some pointers. Best of luck, it’s a horrible situation for her and her family.
Well, how do you think the we got out interstate hwy system? The government destroyed many Black townships this way. And a LOT of those highways and byways weren’t even used, racist whites with power did what sociopaths usually do.
I feel sorry for the lady but sometimes the needs of the many take precedence over an individual. It's called eminent domain. Chances are some of the roads she drives on to go to the supermarket or whatever were constructed using eminent domain.
Eminent Domain is theft. You will never convince me otherwise.
Who was talking about black peoples home prices being suppressed? I need proof. Here in Boston we are all killing it. No homes are suppressed because of color. I need more info. I honestly not believe it. A home is a home. Closer to the city it goes up further away from the city. It goes down. The black people they speak of were probably far from the city so their neighborhood didn't go for as much and they call it suppression get out of here
"Eminent," the notion that some people are more important others, including that the many are more important than the few. (Spock WILLINGLY died for others, so that's different than the government insisting on eminent domain.)
Load More Replies... They want to so this ito the Pasadena freeway in CA. That freeway is very old and was never meant be a major traffic zone so houses are literally right up to the edge of it. Expanding it would mean forcing SO many families out of their homes. I'm glad it has been voted down each time, but it is only a matter of time as it's literally been decades of the LA county trying to push it through
google Akron Ohio Innerbelt The highway,. the bar is a great place too. The way people were displaced was awful. i've worked and had friends who lived in that area college aged. it's a beautiful area.
An article about the Innerbelt made me finally understand the racial component to the highways-are-racist story: A lot of black homes were cheaper to own due to suppressed home values, which was important because a black person earning the same wages as a white person had more difficulty getting mortgages. When white people had to move, and yes, plenty of white people were moved to make way for expressways, they were able to buy equally nice or nicer homes in the suburbs with the money they received. But because home values were suppressed in black neighborhoods, they weren't able to simply find a new neighborhood where they could afford a similar home.
Load More Replies... Appeal to Pres Biden or Sec of Transportation Pete Buttigieg? See, the current administration had adopted the notion that it was horribly racist to have built interstate highways through cities, because they isolated neighborhoods. So I kinda wrestle with the notion of flat-out necessity vs limited government power. (Despite BP's contention that we over-invested in cars, the current urban highway system dramatically UNDERSERVES its intent; people would DESPERATELY welcome alternatives.) But the highway between Saylersville and Prestonberg already averages over 50 MPH and it is lightly used nonetheless. Seems like above all else, putting an expressway would be a colossal waste of money, which in turn makes me think the State government simply wants to enrich the developers who pay for their campaigns.
Seriously, who TF downvoted this? Did I offend a corrupt local official? Or a local developer who corrupted them? UPDATE: I didn't mean to express skepticism towards claims that the interstate highway construction had disparate racial impact; in fact, I had meant to express sympathy for people objecting to government forcing them to move. But an article about the Innerbelt made me finally understand the racial component to the highways-are-racist story: A lot of black homes were cheaper to own due to suppressed home values, which was important because a black person earning the same wages as a white person had more difficulty getting mortgages. When white people had to move, and yes, plenty of white people were moved to make way for expressways, they were able to buy equally nice or nicer homes in the suburbs with the money they received. But because home values were suppressed in black neighborhoods, they weren't able to simply find a new neighborhood where they could afford a similar home.
Load More Replies... Wonder if a Vogon constructor fleet is even now making its way to Earth
Why is this a surprise to anyone? It can literally happen to anyone (in practically any country). If the government need the land for a major project they will claim it. Just be glad you're in a country where they actively try to give you reasonable value for the land, they don't just take it and say "Sucks to be you".
Why not just move the entire house somewhere else on the 63 acres??? My father purchased a house 30 miles away, had it moved, then had it set on another foundation on his property. No, it wasn't a mobile home. The house had to be "cut" into pieces to make the move.
z This is what our government does.It appears to me the only way to fight back is with our right to vote. Isn't about time to start using that right? The only right they haven't taken away from us. Get out there and vote and stop the crazy party voting. It's time to let them know that we know they don't care about us, just the power and money we have given them to spend 40 years in an office.
Yeah. They did that for the H1 in Hawaii. Now they doing that for the rail. Why plan on something, just to have it taken away. Just because it's in the way of progress.
How much have they offered ? If it's enough move, if not get a solicitor and fight.
There is an Australian film called “The Castle”…. It is basically this lady’s story. A funny film, but has the exact same messaging. She may benefit from watching it for some pointers. Best of luck, it’s a horrible situation for her and her family.
Well, how do you think the we got out interstate hwy system? The government destroyed many Black townships this way. And a LOT of those highways and byways weren’t even used, racist whites with power did what sociopaths usually do.
I feel sorry for the lady but sometimes the needs of the many take precedence over an individual. It's called eminent domain. Chances are some of the roads she drives on to go to the supermarket or whatever were constructed using eminent domain.
Eminent Domain is theft. You will never convince me otherwise.
Who was talking about black peoples home prices being suppressed? I need proof. Here in Boston we are all killing it. No homes are suppressed because of color. I need more info. I honestly not believe it. A home is a home. Closer to the city it goes up further away from the city. It goes down. The black people they speak of were probably far from the city so their neighborhood didn't go for as much and they call it suppression get out of here
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