Walser Buick officials say talks are not going wellwith Best Buyregarding its 7 acres, and it expectsthe city will use its eminentdomain authority tostart condemnation proceedings in a week orso.Several weeks ago, the Richfield's Housing andRedevelopmentAuthority voted to use its eminentdomain authority to pursuecondemnation proceedingsagainst Walser, but asked city officials todelay suchaction if there is a still chance for anegotiatedagreement.

This week, Walser received a letter fromthe city reiterating theoffer for the property andadding that if Walser doesn't respond byAug. 11, thecity would begin condemnation proceedings.The currentoffer is no where close to what Walsercould accept, according toBarbara Jerick, executive vicepresident and general counsel toWalser AutomotiveGroup, which owns several car dealerships in theTwinCities. "It's unfortunate that the City is pressing us ashardas they are,'' Jerick told GlobeSt.com."I don't think the statelegislature had that area inmind when it came up with eminentdomain - clearly,it's not blighted.''

Given that such proceedings can take three months ormore,starting them does not restrict a negotiatedsettlement - aconclusion to the process that would bebetter than going throughcondemnation for Best Buy,the city and Walser, says John Stark, theCity'scommunity development manager.