Yes Trump has tried to negotiate with other property owners a few months ago. They had a few holdouts that did not want to sell their land.
The city is not reluctant to use eminent domain. The is the second time that the city of Fresno has used eminent domain to force the sale of private property to benefit another private party.
The City of Fresno will use eminent domain to purchase the property. Then it combine all of the properties including the holdings it purchased today, and resell it to Donald Trump.
Hmmmm ...... seems there could have been a better way.
There are going to be lots of money lost on this deal no matter which way it goes. I feel sorry for the people that risked their life savings on this. They got in even before Trump showed any interest.