At a dinner conversation the other day, I was told by a person who works with area businesses that the City of Cleveland can condemn a property --regardless of the building condition-- if the water bill is in arrears--true?

I would not be surprised:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/05/nyregion/arena-developer-rethinking-condemnation-of-houses.html

http://www.developdontdestroy.org/php/latestnews_ArchiveDate.php

SEE also:

http://realneo.us/content/demos-developers-0

New York Times complicity with Ratner/Forest City explains a lot...