PART IV. RIGHT OF EMINENT DOMAIN.
§8-16-8. Right of eminent domain.
Every such municipality shall have plenary power and authority to condemn any such municipal public works to be acquired, and any land, rights, easements, rights-of-way, franchises and other property, real or personal, deemed necessary, appropriate, useful or convenient for, and incidental to, the construction, reconstruction or establishment of any such works and space for business, commercial or charitable use in connection therewith, or for the improvement, renovation, extension, enlargement, increase or equipment thereof or thereto, and in connection therewith shall have and may exercise all the rights, power, authority and privileges of eminent domain granted to municipalities under the laws relating thereto. Title to property shall be taken in the name of the municipality or jointly in the names of the participating municipalities. Proceedings for such appropriation of property shall be under and pursuant to chapter fifty-four of this code: Provided, That any such municipality shall be under no obligation to accept and pay for any property condemned, and shall in no event pay for any property condemned or purchased, except from funds provided under the authority of this article; and in any proceedings to condemn, such orders may be made as may be just to any such municipality and to the owners of the property to be condemned; and an understanding or other security may be required securing such owners against any loss or damage which may be sustained by reason of the failure of any such municipality to accept and pay for the property, but such undertaking or security shall impose no liability upon any such municipality, except such as may be paid from the funds provided under the authority of this article.

In the event of acquisition by purchase, the board may obtain and exercise an option from the owners of said property for the purchase thereof, and may enter into a contract for the purchase thereof, and such purchase may be made upon such terms and conditions, and in such manner as the board may deem proper: Provided, however, That the exercise of such option, or the contract for such purchase, or such purchase shall in no event create any obligation of any such municipality, or create any debt, liability or claim, except such as may be discharged or paid from the funds provided under the authority of this article.

In the event of the acquisition of any works already constructed by purchase or condemnation, the board at or before the time of the adoption of any ordinance described in section seven hereof, shall cause to be determined what reconstruction, improvement, renovation, extension, enlargement, increase, equipment or repair (including replacements) will be necessary, in order that such works and space for business, commercial or charitable use in connection therewith, if any, may be effective for their purpose, and an estimate of the cost thereof shall be included in the estimate of the cost required by section seven hereof, and the same shall be made upon the acquisition of the works and as a part of the cost thereof: Provided further, That no municipality or municipalities shall, under the authority conferred by this article, condemn any existing privately owned works (other than motor vehicle parking facilities) in operation at the date of the condemnation.

Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2012 1st Special Session