§ 970-i. Acquisition of property. (a) Within the project area a
municipality may upon adoption of the redevelopment plan by the
legislative body, purchase, lease, obtain option upon, acquire by gift,
grant, bequest, devise, or otherwise, any real or personal property, any
interest in property, and any improvements on it or acquire real
property by eminent domain.

(b) Without the consent of an owner, the agency shall not acquire any
real property on which an existing building is to remain on its present
site and in its present form and use unless such building requires
structural alteration, improvement, modernization or rehabilitation, or
the site or lot on which the building is situated requires modification
in size, shape or use or it is necessary to impose upon such property
any of the standards, restrictions and controls of the plan and the
owner fails or refuses to agree to participate in the redevelopment
plan.