Orlando Moves Ahead To Take Church Property By Eminent Domain For Soccer Stadium

At its January 27 meeting (Council Minutes), Orlando, Florida City Council approved the use of eminent domain to acquire the property of Faith Deliverance Temple by eminent domain if negotiations with the church are not successful. As reported by the Orlando Sentinel (Jan. 31), the church is the last parcel needed by the city for construction of an $84 million Major League Soccer Stadium. Orlando has been awarded a major league expansion team for 2015. (Background.) In a decision last Friday, a Florida trial court judge ruled that two other parcels needed for the stadium can be taken by eminent domain, finding that the stadium is a legitimate public purpose. In negotiations, the city has offered Faith Deliverance Temple $1.5 million for its property, over  two times its appraised value. The family that owns the church building says it wants $35 million.