If, for any of the purposes hereunder, the port authority shall find it necessary or convenient for it to acquire title to or any lesser interest in real property as herein defined, in this state, then the port authority may find and determine that such property is required for a public use, and upon such due determination, the said property shall be and shall be deemed to be required for such a public use; and with the exceptions hereinafter specifically noted the said determination or fact shall not be affected by the fact that such property has theretofore been taken for, or is now devoted to, a public use; but the public use in the hands or under the control of the port authority shall be deemed superior to the public use in the hands of any other person, association or corporation. If the port authority is unable to agree for the purchase of any such property, or if the owner thereof shall be incapable of selling the same, or if, after diligent search and inquiry, the name and residence of any such owner cannot be ascertained, or if title to any such property has been acquired or attempted to be acquired and has been found to be invalid or defective, the port authority may acquire title to all such property by condemnation under and pursuant to the provisions of this act.
N.J.S. § 32:1-40