(a) For the acquiring of rights-of-way and property necessary for the construction of terminal railroads and structures, including railroad crossings, airports, seaplane bases, naval bases, wharves, piers, ships, docks, quays, elevators, compresses, refrigeration storage plants, warehouses, and other riparian and littoral terminals and structures and approaches to them and transportation facilities needful for the convenient use of them, and belt line roads and highways and causeways and bridges and other bridges and causeways, a municipal port authority shall have the right and power to acquire them by purchase, by negotiation, or by condemnation.
(b)
(1) Should a municipal port authority elect to exercise the right of eminent domain, condemnation proceedings shall be maintained by and in the name of the authority, and it may proceed as provided by the general laws of the State of Arkansas for the procedure by any county, municipality, or authority organized under the laws of this state, or by the Arkansas Department of Transportation, or by railroad corporations, or in any other manner provided by law, as the authority may, in its discretion, elect.
(2) The power of eminent domain shall not apply to property of persons, state agencies, or corporations already devoted to public use.