Neither of the owners returned calls seeking comment. Manuele said if all goes as planned, the city will have three appraisals performed on each property. City officials would then attempt to come to terms on a sale price with the owners. But we're not ruling out condemnation, if that's what it takes. The city could not use its powers of eminent domain to acquire either of the buildings, Heinle said.
Governments have a right to take private property for public use.
However, because the city hopes to eventually turn over the buildings to private developers, eminent domain cannot be exercised.