City Closing In on Bid to Win New Law School Site

Orlando is a vote away from beating out three competitor cities in a bid to build a $30 million, four-acre law school for Florida A&M. A state-site selection committee has picked Orlando as the best location for the academic project but the school’s president and the Florida Board of Regents have the final say. Their vote comes Sept. 15.

The competition among the four Central Florida cities is fierce because of the economic development spinoff potential as well as the academic issue. For example, Orange County Commissioner Homer Hartage estimates the law school could generate $40 million a year to the local economy.

Orlando is offering a $10 million economic incentive package to the university. The school says its needs at least $15 million in land, buildings, services and cash contributions. If the four-acre tract isn’t large enough, Orlando has a 10-acre parcel it is considering offering as a replacement.