Marietta officials want to expand Roswell Street, but in order to do that, they would need to take about 80 parking spots owned by a 70-year-old church. About 200 members of the Roswell Street Baptist Church showed up to protest the move.
Church leaders say what the city wants to pay for the space is unfair.
"Now they want to just do a cash settlement for $365,000 and I've got an appraisal for $1.6 million," said Dr. Ernest Easley of the church.
A motion was on Wednesday's City Council meeting agenda that would have condemned the church so that Marietta could take it by eminent domain.
"I mean let's face it, that's a nasty word, especially when you talk about a city government and a church," said Easley.
After they saw the hundreds of church members in attendance, the council took the eminent domain decision off the table for now, and instead voted to go into mediation with the church.
"My desire is to try to hammer this out, work with the church and let the church work with the city also and to try and find some common ground," said Marietta City Councilmember Anthony Coleman.
The two sides have been arguing over the issue for nearly a decade.
"All we're asking is from the city, to be fair, you know, to give us a fair amount of money for the land that they're taking from us," said Easley.
A professional mediator will be brought in to try to help reach a decision.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:32:32 GMT
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It's also a great time to thank veterans for their service to our country—veterans just like World War II American hero Lew Fern.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:56 AM EDT2013-05-23 04:56:30 GMT
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:55:59 GMT
A local woman says she's trying to rebuild her life after storms hit this past weekend and destroyed her home.
A local woman says she's trying to rebuild her life after storms hit this past weekend and destroyed her home. Just one day later, some of her family members were in Oklahoma near where the tornado hit.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:50 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:50:14 GMT
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground.
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground. Both victims are 6-year-old boys who are in kindergarten at Rocky Plains Elementary School, where the attack happened.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:42:27 GMT
What do major hotel chains, the IRS, and the business partner of a top rapper have in common? Court records show the National Conference of Black Mayors owes all of them money. Big money.
What do major hotel chains, the IRS, and the business partner of a top rapper have in common? Court records show the National Conference of Black Mayors owes all of them money. Big money.
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