UPDATE: Institute for Justice Takes On Eminent Domain Abuse Case to Save the Real Mr. Miyagi’s Dojo

Back in January, we brought you the story of Fumio Demura, the
martial arts expert whose credits include working as Mr. Miyagi’s
stunt double in The Karate Kid franchise, Mortal
Combat, Rising Sun, and The Island of Dr.
Moreau. 

Demura’s dojo faces closure as the City of Santa Ana plans to
acquire his property as well as eight other small businesses as
part of the Bristol
Street Widening Project. The project has been around since the
early 90’s, but is only now reaching the phase that threatens these
businesses. 

After the story aired, the Institute for Justice contacted the
Bristol Street Business Coalition to help fight against Santa Ana’s
eminent domain abuse and save Demura’s business. 

Produced by Tracy Oppenheimer. Original release date was January
2, 2014 and the original writeup is below the fold.

Karate legend Fumio
Demura has shaped much of the karate culture we are
familiar with today. He’s trained iconic martial arts stars like
Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal, and Pat Morita, and has
also acted in popular martial arts films.

Demura’s credits include working as Mr. Miyagi’s stunt double
in The Karate Kid franchise,Mortal
Combat, Rising Sun, and The Island of
Dr. Moreau. The Real
Miyagi is a soon-to-be-released feature documenting
Demura’s life. Demura credits his “dojo,” or studio, in Santa Ana,
California for much of his success.

“A dojo is not just a studio, not just for fighting. It’s the
development of better human beings,” says Demura.

Yet Demura’s dojo may not be around for much longer. The City of
Santa Ana is planning to acquire his property as well as eight
other small businesses as part of the Bristol
Street Widening Project. The project has been around since the
early 90’s, and is just now reaching the phase that threatens these
businesses.

“It’s just a very slow process,” says Santa Ana Mayor Miguel
Pulido. “You have to deal with every single homeowner, every single
business owner.”

Mayor Pulido says that this section of Bristol Street is
especially important because it’s a major gateway into Santa Ana,
and thus requires more lanes in order to ease traffic congestion.
However, the businesses believe that the city can indeed widen the
streets without acquiring their properties.

The city’s current plan allots 30 ft. for landscaping, and those
30 ft. are crucial for the businesses to be able to remain
untouched. Christina Rush represents the Bristol Street businesses,
and says they can take care of the landscaping themselves.

“We can give you that in our plan, through our landscaping,
through architectural elements, outdoor seating,” says Rush. “We
can achieve what the city wants, that park-like look, while still
allowing the businesses to retain their properties.”

Rush has met multiple times with city representatives, and
expects a resolution or at least more debate at the city council
meeting on Jan. 6. She says the businesses have no intention of
giving up their properties without a fight.

“I’d like to stay as much as I can, because this is an old
house. We fixed it. So hard we were working,” says Demura.

About 5:30 minutes.

Written and produced by Tracy Oppenheimer, who also narrates.
Camera by Alex Manning, Paul Detrick, Zach Weissmueller, and Alexis
Garcia.