The city of Grapevine is seeking to condemn property on Ira E. Woods Avenue for a new Public Safety Building.

Voters approved a $38.6 million general obligation bond issue for the building in November 2012.

A May 14 court petition of condemnation seeks to purchase the property via eminent domain. The petition says the city made formal written offers starting March 7 for the nearly 6-acre property.

Matthew Boyle, assistant city attorney, said the offer to owners Grapevine/Tate Joint Venture was for $1.65 million.

According to the petition, extensive negotiations also took place, but the city's initial and final offers both were rejected by the landowners.

Grapevine/Tate Joint Venture, which is named for the cross street and not connected with Mayor William D. Tate, lists a Dallas address.

Boyle said the city is committed to paying fair market value.

A Tarrant County Court-at-Law has appointed a three-person special commission to consider the case.

If either side appeals the commission's decision, the matter would then become civil litigation, either before a judge or in a jury trial.

The city, meanwhile, is proceeding with non-land-related contracts.

The council on May 21 awarded Brinkley Sargent the architecture contract and approved a contract with Acuity-Holdings Inc. for information technology work.