Pulaski County Judge Cara Connors on Wednesday dismissed the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation from a lawsuit claiming that it has not maintained the Pike-Fletcher-Terry House. Connors kept the museum itself as one of the defendants in the case.
Filed by a number of heirs to the property, the lawsuit alleged that the museum, its foundation and the city of Little Rock have not properly cared for the Terry House. Richard Mays, the attorney for the heirs, said that he was pleased with the decision to keep the museum involved but was disappointed the foundation was dismissed.
“As a practical matter, I’m not so sure how much difference it makes” to dismiss the foundation because it is so similar to the museum, Mays said after the Wednesday hearing. The group will consider appealing the decision at a later time, he said.
In 1964, heirs to the house deeded the property to the city of Little Rock and specified it should be used for public benefit as part of the now Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. The house has sat empty for a number of years and is depreciating. Mays also said mold is growing inside.
The next step, Mays said, is considering filing a summary judgment against the city and museum. He said that the request may be to revert the deed back to the heirs. Mays also estimated the request for damages would be around $1.5 million. These things are still subject to change as Mays meets with his clients.