Federal Judge Rules Johnston's Eminent Domain Attempt Unlawful

Federal judge rules Johnston's eminent domain attempt unlawful

A federal court has invalidated Johnston's use of eminent domain to take a family's property, ruling the town acted unlawfully and exceeded its authority.

Federal court slaps down Rhode Island town's surprise seizure of family's land

A district court ruled that Johnston, Rhode Island, can't use its own bespoke eminent domain process to block an affordable housing development.

Federal judge voids Johnston’s land seizure under eminent domain • Rhode Island Current

A Providence federal judge has tossed the town of Johnston's attempt to take land from a family-owned homebuilding corporation for a new municipal complex. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)A Providence federal judge on Tuesday invalidated the town of Johnston’s 2024 attempt to seize 31 acres of land by eminent domain from a family-owned homebuilding company in order to build a new public safety complex and town hall. Rhode Island …

Judge says Rhode Island town can't seize private lot to block affordable housing

Judge says Rhode Island town can't seize private lot to block affordable housing Diana Ionescu Thu, 07/30/2026 - 06:00 Primary Image Primary Image Caption The Johnston, Rhode Island town hall. A federal court rejected Johnston, Rhode Island's attempt to use eminent domain to seize a privately owned lot, reports Christian Britschgi in Reason. "The property in question is a 31-acre site owned by several members of the Santoro family, through the…