Church battling city of Orlando over land for new soccer stadium

By Joel Schipper, Reporter Last Updated: Monday, January 27, 2014, 5:47 PM ORLANDO --

An Orange County church said they are not happy with what the city of Orlando says the house of worship is worth.

Now the city says they are ready and now have the option to take legal action if needed.

Faith Deliverance Temple, located at 625 W. Church St., is in the middle of property the city is going to buy to place a new soccer stadium.

The church property is valued around $700,000. The city has offered to pay $1.5 million.

While that may seem like a tempting offer, the church isnt budging. Instead, members said the city should pay $40 million, which is up from the initial counter offer of $35 million.

The city voted Monday to approve taking action of eminent domain, which would allow a city or government to legally buy a property for what it is value if the property would be for public use.

Its a public use, absolutely, said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. It would house many different events.

Eminent domain lawyer Stumpy Harris said the church should take the offer.

Double the offer is a pretty good deal, Harris said. Double the appraiser but then I would have to know what my appraiser says. If he says about the same thing, then thats a good deal.

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Church battling city of Orlando over land for new soccer stadium