Conti v. Rhode Island Economic Development Corp.

OPINION

Justice SUTTELL,

for the Court.

On May 28, 1996, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (EDC), a public instrumentality empowered to acquire property by exercise of the right of eminent domain in a manner prescribed by G.L.1956 § 42-64-9 (the EDC condemnation statute), condemned a parcel of land on Douglas Pike in Smithfield, Rhode Island, otherwise designated as Assessor’s Plat 49, lot No. 71 (the subject parcel or the property). The previous owner of the property, Richard J. Conti (plaintiff), filed a petition in Superior Court contesting the adequacy of the $158,000…