Rock Hill, Freedom Temple leaders battle in court over land value

A dispute between the city of Rock Hill and leaders of Freedom Temple over land value in the citys former textile area has landed in court.

Rock Hill filed a condemnation action with a York County court in late September against the local church after negotiations over the city purchasing a tenth of an acre failed.

Under state law, the city can condemn or acquire a private landowners property if it is needed for public purposes. The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and South Carolinas Constitution states that landowners must be given just compensation for property acquired by the government for public purposes.

In its condemnation filing, Rock Hill said it is offering $5,300 for a portion of 2.3 acres owned by the church on West White Street. The city is seeking the property as part of its Knowledge Park project, which calls for developing the former Textile Corridor property between downtown and Winthrop into a center for high-tech research and production.

But, church leaders say their land is worth more money than that. In the churchs last counter offer to Rock Hill, it asked the city to pay $21,000 for a portion of its land.

The same day, Rock Hill filed its suit against the church.

Now, Freedom Temple has asked the court for a jury trial in hopes of receiving more than $5,300.

Church leaders have opted not to hire an attorney and are representing themselves in the lawsuit. Local law firm Spencer and Spencer is representing Rock Hill.

The land in question is located on the corner of West White Street and Stewart Avenue, close to the site of the old Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company commonly referred to as the Bleachery.

Rock Hill officials say they need a small part of the churchs lot to make utility and road improvements to West White Street one aspect of readying the old textile area for new Knowledge Park development. In total, Freedom Temple owns about 2.3 acres, divided into several parcels of land facing White and Lee streets and Stewart Avenue.

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Rock Hill, Freedom Temple leaders battle in court over land value