WASHINGTON — The Supreme
Court said Tuesday that it will decide
whether cities can seize a person's property and transfer it
to private
developers whose projects could boost an ailing local
economy.
The appeal
from seven property owners in New London, Conn.,
who are trying to keep their homes in the face of an economic revitalization
effort along the ThamesRiver, was one of eight cases the court added for the
annual term that begins Monday. The justices have 49 cases scheduled for
arguments and will add about 30 more as the term unfolds over the next nine
months.