Site Change for Orlando's Planned MLS Stadium
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
By: Amy Kiley

August 5, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando -- Orlando City Soccer's new Major League Soccer stadium will go in a half block west of the originally planned location.

[Images of the new stadium site courtesy of the City of Orlando]

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer says two factors are behind the revised plans.  One is an offer from the Black Business Investment Fund to sell its undeveloped land next to the original site. 

The other is a breakdown in eminent domain negotiations with Faith Deliverance Temple.  The family-owned church has been in the historic Parramore district for generations.

“Until last month, we thought we were negotiating with the Williams family simply about price and then relocating,” Dyer says.  “They adamantly stated they didn’t want to relocate, so we knew we were probably in for a longer battle.”

Both Dyer and Orlando City Soccer President Phil Rawlins say the new plan is actually better than the original.  They say it allows more space for parking and commercial development. 

“We see this as a win-win-win, a great day for the City of Orlando, for the Parramore district and its residents, and for Orlando City Soccer club,” Rawlins says.

The Orlando City Lions will play their premier MLS season at the Citrus Bowl while stadium construction concludes.