MIAMI – An historic church on prime Miami property has decided it's time to cash in on its land value.
Unity on the Bay, which is surrounded by new condominiums, will be entertaining offers for the first time in its half-century of existence.
"It just seemed like a good time to start looking at how we could leverage the value of the property in order to build the home of our future," the Rev. Chris Jackson told Local 10 News.
Unity on the Bay's 2-acre property is worth more now than ever before to developers, who have been eyeing dwindling parcels in Miami's burgeoning urban core.
The church's 1916 mansion and guest house are expensive to repair and maintain, which is another incentive to sell the property.
"We haven't heard from any preservationists at this point," Jackson said. "It may come yet to pass."
There is no asking price just yet, but Unity reports a past offer of about $40 million.
"We've been here for a long time and we treasure this places as our home, so yes, it is bittersweet, and when that day comes where it's actually time to move, I'm sure we're going to feel the emotion of it," Jackson said.
Jackson said the money from the church's property sale will be used to grow the church and its programs at another location.
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