ORLANDO, Fla. — The city of Orlando wants to expand Lake Eola Park, and that means several historic homes in that area will have to be removed or demolished.
The Orlando City Council decided Monday on the $8.5 million purchase of 1.36 acres of property to expand the downtown park.
Officials said they are trying to get rid of five semihistoric houses.
So the nonprofit group that owns the houses is giving them away for free. But, WFTV learned that the prospective owners of the houses will have to foot the bill to move them.
If there are no takers, the buildings will be demolished.
"For the labor to move it, you're looking at in the neighborhood of $40,000," said Pat Burdette, of Modern House and Building Movers of Orlando. "But then you'll have the utility costs for handling all the power lines, telephone lines, cable vision traffic control devices, some tree trimming."
The homes were built in the early 1900s. One even belonged to 1946 Nobel Peace Prize winner John Mott. None, though, have any special historical designations.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said it was a "once-a-generation opportunity" to expand the park.
The houses were built between 1915 and 1930. Three are two-story houses and the other two are single-story.
City officials said they hope to close on the property by the end of the year.
The houses are currently being leased out as offices. Tenants have been notified that they'll have to move.
Those interested in taking one of the houses can click here for more information.