Acquisition of real estate; settlement for real estate acquired by purchase or condemnation

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by emergency legislation that will expire on November 11, 2026. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation affecting this section, click this link: Permanent Version.* (a) The Mayor may acquire property by negotiated sale for governmental purposes, including to support and promote economic development and neighborhood revitalization. (b) The Mayor of the District of Columbia may, in his discretion and when he deems such action to be in the public interest, effect settlement with owners of real estate authorized to be acquired by purchase or condemnation for District of Columbia purposes, through such title company or companies in the District of Columbia as may be designated by the Mayor, and to pay from appropriations available for the acquisition of such real estate reasonable fees to cover the cost of the services rendered by such title company or companies.