Arkansas Court Upholds Conway Land Condemnation Verdict
The Arkansas Court of Appeals rejected arguments that a $3 million jury verdict for a family trust was excessive.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Law
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The Arkansas Court of Appeals has upheld a $3 million jury verdict awarded to the William Major Lewis Trust following a land condemnation case in Conway. The ruling affirms the compensation for land acquired by the Arkansas State Highway Commission.
Why it matters
The decision underscores the legal process for determining property value when public highway projects restrict access to private commercial land. It affirms the trust's entitlement to higher compensation after the commission's project reduced the property's utility.
The jury award of $3 million exceeded the commission's initial $417,825 deposit by more than 20%, triggering an automatic award of attorney fees and costs. The trust previously estimated compensation requirements at approximately $3.8869 million.
The players
William Major Lewis Trust
This family trust owns the commercial property in Conway that was subjected to land condemnation.
Arkansas State Highway Commission
This state agency oversees the planning and construction of highway projects throughout Arkansas.
Arkansas Court of Appeals
This judicial body hears appeals from trial courts across the state on civil and criminal matters.
The details
The dispute centers on 1.62 acres taken by the commission for a highway project that limited access to Dave Ward Drive. The trust spent up to $4.5 million to build new roads on seven acres of remaining land to restore commercial access.
Timeline
August 7, 2015: The commission condemned portions of the trust's land.
June 2024: The jury trial concluded with a $3 million verdict.
October 28, 2026: The appeals court upheld the jury verdict.
Political Context
The court's decision follows the principles of eminent domain, which governs how public entities must compensate private owners when seizing land. This ruling maintains a precedent where landowners can successfully challenge the adequacy of initial government compensation offers.
Property owners in Conway whose land is subject to government acquisition may find this ruling helpful for challenging initial appraisal amounts. It demonstrates that the courts will protect the right to fair compensation when highway projects impede access to commercial property.
The takeaway
Property owners should carefully document the costs of restoring land access during condemnation disputes to support higher valuation claims. This case shows that judicial intervention can significantly increase the total compensation paid compared to initial state deposits.
Further reading
For more information on regional legal proceedings, visit the Law section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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