Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 77.djvu/607

 77 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 88-241-DEC. 23, 1963

§ 16-1320. Fixing time for return of yerdict I n every case involving the condemnation of real property under this subchapter, at the close of the hearing thereof, the court shall fix a time in which the jury shall return its verdict or the report to the court the reasons why the verdict or appraisement can not be returned by the time fixed. The court has discretion to extend the time for the return of the verdict or appraisement. §16-1321. Abandonment of proceedings; liability I n a condemnation proceeding pursuant to this subchapter, it is optional with the Board of Commissioners to abide by the verdict of the jury and occupy the property appraised by them, or, within a reasonable time to be fixed by the court in its order confirming the verdict, to abandon the proceeding. If the proceeding is abandoned, the court shall award to the owner or owners of the property involved therein such sum or sums as will in the opinion of the court reimburse the owner or owners for all reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, incurred by him or them in the proceeding. The sum or sums so awarded constitute a judgment or judgments against the District of Columbia. An owner is not entitled to the reimbursement in any case where the proceeding is abandoned at the request, or with the consent, of the owner of the property. Subchapter III—Excess Property for Development of Seat ot Government § 16-1331. Acquisition of property in excess of needs I n order to promote the orderly and proper development of the seat of government of the United States, the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia, and agencies of the United States authorized by law to acquire real property, may acquire, in the public interest, by gift, dedication, exchange, purchase, or condemnation, fee simple title to land, or riglits in or on land or easements or restrictions therein, within the District, for public uses, works, and improvements authorized by Congress, in excess of that actually needed for and essential to their usefulness, in order to preserve the view, appearance, light, and air and to enhance their usefulness to prevent the use of private property adjacent to them in such a manner as to impair the public benefit derived from the construction thereof, or to prevent inequities or hardship to the owners of adjacent private property by depriving them of the beneficial use of their property. § 16-1332. Sale of excess property; restrictions on use; fair market v a l u e; disposition of moneys (a) The Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia and agencies of the United States authorized by law to acquire real property may, upon completion of public improvements: (1) subdivide, and sell, at public or private sale, or exchange, any excess real property acquired pursuant to this subchapter; and (2) to carry out such purposes, convey any property acquired in excess of that actually needed and which is not essential to the usefulness of the public works— with such reservations concerning the future use and occupation of the property as, in their discretion, may be necessary to protect the public improvements. (b) Property sold under this section shall be sold at not less than the fair market value at the time sold, as determined by appraisement of the assessor of the District of Columbia.

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