Byrd Campbell Represents Developer in Lawsuit with County over Convention Center Expansion

Story Highlights

• Universal City Property Management sues Orange County over convention center expansion.
• Lawsuit claims county violated 1998 land-use agreement requiring infrastructure improvements.
• Orange County proceeds with $560 million expansion despite legal challenge.

A decades-old land-use agreement is at the center of a new lawsuit that could affect the future of the Orange County Convention Center’s (OCCC) $560 million expansion.

Universal City Property Management III LLC (UCPM), led by Georgia developer Stanley Thomas, filed a complaint Sept. 30 alleging Orange County violated a 1998 contract tied to the sale of roughly 230 acres for the convention center’s Phase V expansion.

The lawsuit claims the county breached land-use covenants that restrict further development unless specific infrastructure improvements are made.

Land-use covenant dispute centers on Kirkman Road interchange

According to the complaint, UCPM negotiated land-use restrictions when selling the property to Orange County, including a requirement that the county build a full interchange connecting Kirkman Road to State Road 528 (Beachline Expressway) before expanding the convention center beyond Phase V.

“The land-use covenants prohibit Orange County from constructing, developing or using the OCCC expansion property beyond Phase V unless and until Kirkman is extended from Sand Lake Road to SR 528 and connected through a full interchange,” the complaint states.

Currently, Kirkman Road ends at Universal Boulevard and transitions into Tradeshow Boulevard, a smaller road that runs along the east side of the North-South Concourse. Beyond that lies a county-owned parking area and the site of a future SunRail/Brightline station.

Representatives with the two rail services could not be reached for comment.

The lawsuit alleges the land was sold for millions below market value in exchange for the county’s commitment to the covenants.

No dollar amount for the land was disclosed in the lawsuit, and Orange County records did not show a price.

The North-South Concourse land in question currently holds part of the Phase V expansion, as seen below.

Convention center expansion moves forward despite legal challenge

Despite the lawsuit, Orange County is moving ahead with the expansion. The additions to the center’s North-South Building include:

Orange County officials and convention center executives declined to comment on pending litigation.

Tucker Byrd, attorney for UCPM, said the county is aware of the covenant and its obligations. “Orange County takes the position it is impossible to build. You may not want to, but you have to,” Byrd told Orlando Business Journal. He added that the lawsuit could affect the expansion.

Representatives with the Florida Department of Transportation and Universal Orlando Resort, which is a major stakeholder of Kirkman Road seeing as it runs along the western side of the new Epic Universe theme park, could not be reached for comment.

The plaintiff seeks to enforce the original agreement, halt further development, prevent property transfers and recover compensatory damages potentially in the hundreds of millions, plus attorney fees.

In brief

Universal City Property Management III LLC vs. Orange County, Florida