249 So.2d 900 (La. 1966)
Keeney v. City of New Orleans addressed the tension between urban renewal efforts and property rights.
Did the City of New Orleans' use of eminent domain to acquire property for urban renewal constitute a valid 'public use' under the law?
The legal principle in play is that governmental entities may exercise eminent domain powers to take private property for public use, provided that the taking is necessary and just compensation is made to the owner, as outlined by both state and federal constitutional requirements.
The court held that the City of New Orleans' acquisition of Keeney's property under urban renewal objectives satisfied the requirement of 'public use' under the law, provided that the city adhered to requirements for fair compensation.
The case is instructive for law students for its exploration of eminent domain within the context of urban renewal. It provides foundational perspectives on how courts balance individual property rights against public interests, a critical area of study in property and constitutional law. Keeney illustrates the broader implications of eminent domain decisions, emphasizing the need for fairness and procedural safeguards.