What can a city do to acquire property if the owner refuses to negotiate for land needed to extend municipal airport runways?

Eminent domain is the legal process that allows a governmental entity, like a city, to acquire private property for public use, even if the owner is unwilling to sell. This power is typically exercised when the property is needed for essential public projects, such as extending airport runways, which serve a public interest. The government must provide just compensation to the property owner, as mandated by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, ensuring that the owner is fairly compensated for their loss.

This process is crucial in urban planning and infrastructure development, as it enables necessary expansions and improvements that benefit the community as a whole. The requirement of just compensation further ensures that property owners’ rights are considered, balancing individual property rights with the needs of the community.

In contrast, the other options do not apply in this context. Escheat refers to the process by which the state takes ownership of property when an owner dies without a will and no heirs are found. Accretion pertains to the gradual increase of land through natural forces, which has no bearing on property negotiation. Confiscation involves the complete seizure of property, typically in the context of law enforcement, and does not include provisions for compensation or a legal process like eminent domain.