Orlando Votes To Use Eminent Domain If Necessary For Soccer Stadium Deal
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
By: Nicole Creston

September 17th, 2013 | WMFE - The Orlando City Council voted Monday to take two parcels of land via eminent domain if their owners won't sell to make way for a new soccer stadium.

After posing for photos with Orlando City Soccer Club players and congratulating them on their recent championship win, Mayor Buddy Dyer and council members reached another goal in the quest to build a Major League Soccer stadium. They voted to use eminent domain to acquire the last two pieces of West Church Street land necessary for the $85 million project. 

The city has already bought 21 parcels of land in the area. As a result of yesterday’s vote, if the two holdouts won’t sell their combined $2.8 million property, city officials can ask the Orange County Court to determine a fair market value for the land instead.

One of the parcels is held by an out-of-state owner, another is owned by a Northbrook Properties, Inc.

A vote on a funding plan for the stadium’s construction is expected in the coming weeks.