When real property in the District of Columbia is needed by the Mayor of the District of Columbia for sites of schoolhouses, fire or police stations, rights-of-way for roads, highways, streets and alleys or parts thereof, rights-of-way for water mains or sewers, or any other authorized municipal use, and that property cannot be acquired by purchase from the owners thereof at a price satisfactory to the officers of the District authorized to negotiate for the property, a complaint may be filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in the name of the District of Columbia for the condemnation of the property or rights-of-way and the ascertainment of its value.

For purposes of this subchapter, a special jury list shall be prepared of not less than one hundred persons who are qualified jurors in the District of Columbia. When a jury is required for a condemnation proceeding under this subchapter, the names of such number of persons as may be necessary shall be selected from this list by lot and furnished to the Superior Court.

In each action brought pursuant to this subchapter, the court shall appoint, from among the persons whose names are drawn pursuant to section 16-1312, a jury of five capable and disinterested persons, and shall administer to the persons so drawn an oath or affirmation that they:

After the filing of the declaration of taking, and the deposit of the money in the registry of the court, as provided for by section 16-1314, the court, upon the application of the parties in interest, may order that the money so deposited, or any part thereof, be paid forthwith for or on account of the just compensation to be awarded in the proceeding. Upon the final award of compensation, the court shall enter judgment for the amount of any deficiency or overpayment in the manner provided by subdivision (j) of rule 71A of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. A writ of execution may be issued on the judgment within the same time, and it shall have the same effect as a lien, and shall be executed and returned in the same manner, as if issued on any other judgment.

Upon the filing of the declaration of taking provided for by section 16- 1314, the court may fix the time within which and the terms upon which the parties in possession shall be required to surrender possession to the plaintiffs. The court may make such orders in respect of incumbrances, liens, rents, taxes, assessments, insurance, and other charges, if any, as it deems just and equitable.

The court, before accepting the jury in a condemnation proceeding pursuant to this subchapter, shall hear any objections that may be made to any member thereof, and may pass upon any objection, and may excuse any juror or cause any vacancy in the jury, when empaneled, to be filled. After the jury is organized and have viewed and examined the land and premises affected by the condemnation proceeding, they shall proceed, in the presence of the court, to hear and receive any evidence offered or submitted on behalf of the District of Columbia and by any person having an interest in the proceeding. When the hearing is concluded, the jury, or a majority of them, shall return to the court, in writing, their appraisement of the value of the interests of all persons, respectively, in the real property, where the appraisement shall be recorded. In making their decision, the jury shall take into consideration, when a part only is taken, the benefit to the remainder of the tract, and shall give their appraisement accordingly.

If the appraisement of the jury pursuant to section 16-1317 is not objected to by the parties interested, it shall be confirmed by the court, or, if the appraisement of the new jury is confirmed by the court, the Mayor shall pay the amount awarded by the jury out of the appropriation made therefor or deposit it in the manner as directed by section 9-1217.24, and thereupon the title to the property condemned shall vest in the District of Columbia.

In 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.

In a condemnation proceeding pursuant to this subchapter, it is optional with the Mayor 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.