Court Hears Clinton Library Dispute

The city properly seized a parcel of land to be part of Bill Clinton’s presidential library, the city attorney argued Thursday before the Arkansas Supreme Court.

But the landowner’s attorney, Christopher Parker, told the justices that the city, in its early dealings, did not clearly state how the land would be used.

“How can you engage in subterfuge?” Justice Donald Corbin asked. “Surely the landowner . . . has some say in what this property was to be used for.”

Eugene Pfeifer III, who owned 2.9 acres of downtown land, contends the museum and academic complex, which will include a private residence, is not covered under the principle of eminent domain because it is not a public park.

If the court rules for Pfeifer, who is appealing a ruling against him by a Pulaski County judge, the library would be delayed indefinitely, planners say. The justices could rule by early next week.

Justice Jim Hannah asked whether the plan for a private residence for Clinton’s use within the library complex would negate its classification as a park.

City Atty. Tom Carpenter said it would not, citing the presence of private residences at some of Arkansas’ state parks. “That doesn’t destroy the public purpose of the park,” he said.

The library site, 27.7 acres of mostly old warehouse land along the Arkansas River, was selected by Clinton in 1997. Last year, the city acquired Pfeifer’s acreage after he rejected an offer of $400,000.

The Clinton Foundation has bid $104 million to lease the land from the city.

The foundation proposes spending $24.4 million to develop a park surrounding the library complex that would feature a 2,500-seat amphitheater, urban fishing grounds and a pedestrian walk linking the complex to downtown.

Clinton Foundation President Skip Rutherford says the decision is the project’s last hurdle before breaking ground. The foundation is not a party to the lawsuit.