For the purpose of widening, deepening, or otherwise improving a river or harbor, a city or village may institute proceedings in any court of record to condemn any land or right-of-way needed for that purpose and to pay for the land or right-of-way by special assessment upon the property specially benefited by the widening, deepening, or other improvement of the river or harbor, or upon the public, or both, as the case may be. The proceedings shall be instituted in the manner provided by and in all respects under the provisions of Article 9.