State goes to court to acquire church in path of bridge

DETROIT (AP) — Michigan officials have filed a condemnation lawsuit in order to acquire a church, remove it and make way for the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

The Detroit Free Press recently reported the state sued last week after representatives of the First Latin American Baptist Church rejected a state bid to buy it.

The Michigan Department of Transportation offered about $400,000.

However, the church said it needed at least $2 million to relocate nearby.

The lawsuit is the first of its kind against a large property owner in the state’s effort to acquire land for the bridge, its approaches and freeway connections, and inspection plaza.

The bridge is scheduled to open in 2020 but snags in acquiring the necessary land could cause delays.