NATCHEZ — On Thursday the Mississippi State Supreme Court sided with the City of Natchez in an ongoing judgment saying the city had the right to sell the former pecan factory site for condominium development.

In 2006 the city sold the land to Worley Brown, LLC, for the development.

A group of citizens filed suit against the city, saying they sold the land below market value.

The land was sold for $500,000 while some appraisals placed the value of the land at approximately $700,000.

The condo developments are an estimated $20 million project.

On Thursday evening Mayor Phillip West said he was not surprised by the court’s decision.

“Any time we can bring a $20 million development to the city that’s good for the city,” he said.

West said the development would ultimately bring economic benefits to the city.

The court’s unexpected announcement on Thursday took many involved with the case off guard.

Attorney Tim Waycaster, counsel for Worley Brown, said he had only learned of the court’s ruling on Thursday evening.

Waycaster said he would reserve commenting on the matter since he had not seen the court’s opinion.

The suit, an obvious obstacle, in the condo development was not the last hurdle for Worley Brown to clear however.

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History has denied a permit necessary for the development. The matter is still pending in Hinds County Circuit Court.