Library won't take over private land.

Byline: Theresa Harrington

Aug. 31--Walnut Creek city officials have withdrawn their offer to purchase private property for a new downtown library and parking garage, saying they have been unable to negotiate an agreement and do not want to delay plans.

"We simply had to move on and get the design moving, and we were not close enough to where we felt we were going to be able to resolve it in a reasonable time frame," City Manager Mike Parness said Tuesday.

The City Council unanimously decided Aug. 19 not to acquire the 27,400-square-foot parcel for the library project through eminent domain. However, the city would still like to acquire the property …