Universal Sells Prime Tract Involved in County Lawsuit

ORLANDO-A surprise element has surfaced in Orange County’s Circuit Court land-tax lawsuit against Universal Orlando–land the theme park operator claims is worth only $400 per acre has been sold for $662,711 per acre, according to county real estate records.

Intrawest/Orlando Development Corp., a Canadian investment group, paid $19.6 million, or $15.21 per sf, for a 29.5-acre tract in the city’s main tourist corridor at International Drive and Universal Boulevard. Intrawest officials couldn’t be reached at GlobeSt.com’s publication deadline to learn what it plans to do with the dirt. The deed was recorded March 8.

Meanwhile, Orange Circuit Court Judge Jay P. Cohen is expected to rule this month on a suit filed by Orange County property appraiser Bill Donegan. The trial ended May 28. The suit alleges Universal has been deceiving the county for years by wrongfully claiming an agriculture zoning classification on its total 1,240 acres. The suit maintains the land is being prepared for commercial sale. Universal argues the land is a pine tree farm and qualifies as an agricultural zoning under state law.