CHARLES CITY - The city may have to acquire some land needed to replace the pedestrian bridge over the Cedar River via eminent domain, an option that allows government entities to force the sale of private property for public use.

The City Council set a special meeting on the matter for 7 p.m. Sept. 3 and sent a notice to property owners Anthony and Pamela Bill of Charles City.

The city wants 419 square feet of the couple's property for a temporary easement for construction of the bridge. The city also wants to permanently acquire another 2,152 square feet from the Bills for the bridge.

The city is negotiating with the couple to acquire the property, but the two sides so far haven't reached a resolution.

Though the council set a date for a special meeting to act on eminent domain, that step won't be necessary if the city and the Bills come to an agreement before then, City Administrator Tom Brownlow said.

"We are still hopeful things will work out," he added.

Officials expect construction of the $3.15 million bridge will be completed next year. The span will replace a 102-year-old bridge swept away by historic flooding in June 2008.