The laws for eminent domain have changed - it's not what it used to be. You're not paid what they want to pay you and you now have a contract where you can get fair market value. The person who "looses" the property makes out far better than they used to and the law helps to keep people from jacking up prices for municipalities so they can unjustly profit from a situation.
Here's an example...
Let's say the fire department decides to expand but they don't have enough land to put their new building and drive way on. They wish to buy a neighboring piece of property that is valued at $120,000 BUT the seller sees dollar signs - he can make out big because the fire department can ONLY buy his property to complete their project. So, he jacks the price to $360,000 - way above value. Eminent domain can be done to procure the property at a FAIR price - both for the seller and buyer. The law has changed.
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