Property \((T)\) and \(\widetilde{A}_ 2\) groups (Q1323158)

We show that each group \(\Gamma\) in a class of finitely generated groups introduced in two recent papers by \textit{D. I. Cartwright, A. M. Mantero, T. Steger} and \textit{A. Zappa} [Geom. Dedicata 47, No. 2, 143-166, 167-223 (1993; Zbl 0784.51010 and Zbl 0784.51011)], has Kazhdan's property (\(T\)), and calculate the exact Kazhdan constant of \(\Gamma\) with respect to its natural set of generators. These are the first infinite groups shown to have property (\(T\)) without making essential use of the theory of representations of linear groups, and the first infinite groups with property (\(T\)) for which the exact Kazhdan constant has been calculated. These groups therefore provide answers to Questions 1 and 2 on p. 133 of \textit{P. de la Harpe} and \textit{A. Valette} ``La propriété (\(T\)) de Kazhdan pour les groupes localement compacts'' (Astérisque 175, 1989; Zbl 0759.22001).