Business owner David Brambila has a long history in Quincy, Massachusetts. For 18 years, his company has operated Acapulcos Mexican Family Restaurant & Cantina across the street from City Hall.

Customers love the food. However, in terms of popularity, the eatery cannot compete with John Quincy Adams, the sixth U.S. president and one of the city’s most famous native sons. Anxious to honor such an important figure, the city pushed aside Acapulcos at the end of December to make room for a “pocket park” featuring a 7-foot-tall statue of the former president.

Public planners could have tried negotiating voluntary terms with Acapulcos. Instead, the city opted for eminent domain, which allows the government to take private property by force.

The strong-arm tactic is a strange way to honor Adams, who was a proud

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