Florida Court Allows Taking Of Private Land To Build A Major League Soccer Stadium Based On A Broad Application Of “Public Use” Doctrine
“Last Friday, the Orlando Sentinel and News 13 Orlando both reported that a Florida Circuit Court upheld the City of Orlando’s decision to take private property located on West Church Street to build a soccer stadium for Orlando City SC, which is Major League Soccer’s newest expansion team.
The City of Orlando had defended its power to seize the land under “eminent domain,” which allows for municipalities to take private property when doing so serves a public purpose and the municipality provides just compensation to property owners.
According to the Orlando Sentinel article, the Florida court found a sufficient “public purpose” for the taking, even though both Major League Soccer and Orlando City SC are private entities.”
Edelman, Marc. Forbes 3 February 2014.
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