The dilemma: Sell a vacant hospital building to a church groupfor three times less than the appraised value or sell the structureto a commercial real estate firm for more money and a chance toplace the property on the city's active tax rolls. Religiousorganizations don't pay property taxes.

The hospital's board is reviewing an offer of $500,000 or $8.33per sf from United Methodist Church of Clermont for the vacant,60,000-sf Eighth Street building. The amount is under the $1.7million appraisal ($28.33 per sf). The church and the South LakeCommunity Foundation would use the property to house 50 non-profitsocial service groups.

The board is also considering an undisclosed bid from HighlandReal Estate and Highland Development of Clermont. Principals Daleand Daryl Ladd, however, say they will only do the deal if theboard rejects the church's offer.