The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has told a Richmond woman it's taking her land, but she says the department refuses to pay her what it's worth.

A court agreed with her, ordering VDOT to pay up.

But now we've learned that the state is appealing, and possibly spending nearly four times what she asked for.

Wanda Beavers owns Leave It to Beaver Childcare Center.

Two years go, the City of Richmond asked VDOT to acquire part of Beaver's property, about 3/4 of an acre so they could widen German School Road.

VDOT offered her $6,683, but Beavers thought it wasn't enough so she asked for $30,000.

VDOT said no and filed a lawsuit against her. But, when the case went to court, the jury ordered VDOT to pay Beavers $52,216.

Now the state has appealed it to the Virginia Supreme Court.

David Schneider with VDOT says " what we are looking for is a determination as to how V-DOT's appraisers should go about placing a value on land, where a landowner has agreed to previously dedicate it for public use".

VDOT argues that the previous owner of Beaver's daycare center agreed to donate part of the land for public use, but the judge rejected the argument.

So far, VDOT has paid attorneys and appraisers $60,869. That's more than twice as much as the $30,000 Beavers originally asked for. And, if VDOT loses the appeal, it'll cost the taxpayer approximately $113,085 in legal and appraisal fees.

No word on when the Virginia Supreme Court will rule on the case.