JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — The town of Johnston has officially acquired a 31-acre parcel of land by eminent domain, following months of controversy and pushback. Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. announced that the town seized the property at 178-200 George Waterman Road at 10:40 a.m. Friday through a pet ition filed in Providence Superior Court. For months, Polisena Jr. had opposed a proposed 255-unit affordable housing complex originally intended for the land, arguing it would place an unsustainable burden on the town by drastically increasing the population. "This project is so destructive to the town of Johnston that I can’t, in good conscience, stay silent," Polisena wrote in a December 2024 letter to the Johnston Planning Board. BACKGROUND: Johnston mayor vows to fight proposed affordable housing complex Instead, the mayor plans to transform the land into a comprehensive public safety municipal complex, which would include a new fire station, police station, and town hall. In January, he described the town’s current facilities as being "in disarray," citing numerous "unsafe" and "inadequate" working conditions. The Johnston Town Council voted in favor of Polisena Jr.'s proposal on Jan. 28. The Santoro family, the property's previous owners, filed a lawsuit accusing the town of violating their rights by seizing the land. However, Polisena dismissed their claims, stating, "They’re not my priority," and emphasizing that the residents of Johnston come first. MORE: Johnston mayor blocks housing project in favor of new public safety complex 12 News has reached out to Polisena for comment but has not yet received a response. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media:                     Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW ...read more read less