Elizabeth M. Tarasi Construction Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Condemnation
is the process of taking private property for public use through the power of
eminent domain. When private property is taken by the government, the owner is
entitled to receive just compensation. The government or public entity must
follow specific procedures and they must pay you the value for the highest and
best use of your property. The highest and best use is a legal term and should
be determined for you by a qualified expert.

In
the United States,
since part of our law was directly adapted from English "common law",
there has always been provisions for the practice of condemnation. In fact the
US Constitution states: "... nor shall private property be taken for
public use, without just compensation".