Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 19, § 387. Authority to expropriate property

A. When the city of Monroe cannot amicably acquire property needed for a public purpose, including for a street, road, drainage, water, utility, sewerage, electric, capital, or any other public project, it may acquire such property by expropriation and may acquire the property prior to judgment in the trial court fixing the amount of compensation due to the property owner in the manner set forth in this Part.

B. Except as otherwise provided in this Part, such expropriation shall be conducted in the manner that the Department of Transportation and Development may expropriate property for highway purposes, as set forth in R.S. 48:441 through 460.