Orlando beat out Lakeland, Tampa and Daytona Beach in theopening round. The city scored 2,094.5 points; Lakeland, 1,965;Tampa, 1,579.2; and Daytona Beach, 1,462.2. The rating system tookin land, buildings, utilities and location. A FAMU advisorycommittee and the Florida Board of Regents ranked the cities.

Orlando threw out the biggest carrot--a free, $6.57 million,3.1-acre site at Hughey Avenue and Robinson Street; a $1-a-yearlease for temporary law school space in 15,000 sf on DowntownOrange Avenue; reduced or waived building permit fees and chargestotaling $547,600; and $250,000 worth of scholarships. The totalpackage is valued at $9.8 million.

The state is pledging $15 million for the project, provided theselected city comes up with the same amount. University officialsare planning the first class next fall in a temporary facility.They hope to have a permanent law school home ready by Aug. 1,2003.