Orlando plans to condemn 2 parcels for soccer stadium
“Two small pieces of property are among the final hurdles for Orlando to clear before it can move forward with plans to build a Major League Soccer stadium downtown.
But the owners aren’t willing to negotiate, so the city is turning to eminent domain to seize the land at a court-ordered price.
Eminent domain, or condemnation, has been used for plenty of other projects, including the city-owned Amway Center and hotels near the Daytona Beach boardwalk. Courts all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court have found that government can use eminent domain to take private property for the purpose of economic development — even if the government then turns it over to another private citizen.
“While we are very glad that people want to hold on to their property and have it increase in value, we have to look at the overall good of the community and proceed in that fashion,” City Attorney Mayanne Downs said.
Orlando leaders plan to build the soccer stadium to help the city’s minor-league team become the next MLS expansion franchise. The team has said that MLS requires its new franchises to play in soccer-specific stadiums. City commissioners are expected to approve a funding package on Oct. 7, and Orange County commissioners will vote Oct. 22.”
Schlueb, Mark. Orlando Sentinel 30 September 2013.