The term, “eminent domain,” when invoked by government, infers a sense of nobility, honorability, and indicates an exercise for the public’s common good. In many cases, the use of eminent domain can be beneficial to a community in need but should only be utilized when no other alternatives exist. Sadly, more often than not, it’s used as a bludgeoning tool to lawfully take property from legal landowners, under the guise of the “greater public good,” or in the “public’s best interest.”
The core concept behind eminent domain is that government can claim private property for public use but must pay “just compensation.” And to be clear, the term “just compensation” is not some simple phrase created out of thin air; it is deeply rooted in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution and buttressed by numerous Supreme Court rulings over the years. The Fifth Amendment’s Taking’s Clause prohibits the government from taking property for public use without providing “just compensation.”
Enter Christian Faith Center Church and its sprawling 50-acre campus in Federal Way Washington. The Christian church, child day-care center and Pacific Christian Academy property has been targeted for condemnation or acquisition by Western Washington’s public transit agency, Sound Transit. Sound Transit intends to use the property for “potential future light rail expansion” and a facility for testing and conditioning of its light rail vehicles. Despite numerous alternative sites that exist, the thriving Christian community campus was chosen above all others for the taking.
Current estimates show Sound Transit running up to a 35-billion-dollar structural deficit, which is expected to increase substantially with cost overruns up and ridership down significantly. The parallels between Gavin Newsom’s train to nowhere in California, AKA the “Bakersfield Express” are astounding, especially when you consider the lack of federal tax dollars and grants, which are drying up considerably. These boondoggles are no longer being funded by the federal government due to the lack of transparency and the complete disregard for financial accountability. It’s simply outrageous how this legal tool is being wielded not for altruistic reasons, but rather as an instrument of political self-interest.
The “takings clause” applies not only to the actual land, but includes existing structures as well as intangible assets, such as planned future site development and premeditated revenue streams. When considering the “just compensation” aspect, all of this must be measured when applying a dollar figure so that “no one citizen bears the burden of public benefit costs alone,” as stated in the “Takings Clause.” Most courts have been consistent with this component of the eminent domain process, but the rules are different in progressive led states; their prejudiced posture towards Christian and Jewish facilities have become nothing short of overtly disparate.
Appraisers are hired by the government simply to assess property values often with minimal regard to the intangibles that are supposed to be recognized in the “just compensation” clause. They ignore years of communal connections, and community investments of time, talent, and treasure. But to make matters even worse for the prospering Christian Church, if that were even possible, King County Washington has placed a moratorium on the building of new church facilities within its governing jurisdiction; thus, creating a first amendment conflict as well. Not only do they intend on taking the land and structures for pennies on the dollar but will not allow the religious organization to rebuild within its governing region. How’s that for an “eminent domain?”
Why should we the people accept this? The First Amendment is the foundation for America’s Constitution, ensuring American citizens religious liberty “in the free exercise thereof.” Those five words have been the basis for countless landmark Supreme Court decisions over the years. King County Washington and Sound Transit have seemingly conspired to violate the Christian Church’s ability to, not only receive “just compensation,” but to rebuild and tend to its flock within the community by putting a church construction moratorium in place. If we allow this injustice to continue unchallenged, we become complicit in the systematic oppression of the very fabric of America’s Constitution and the freedom to practice one’s religion.
Religious institutions such as Christian Faith Center should not have to watch helplessly as their dreams of sharing the gospel turn to dust, only to be replaced with a dysfunctional and bankrupted public organization like Sound Transit. This so-called “greater good” justification rarely filters back to those who lose everything in the process. An entire church community must now scatter and attempt to stitch their spiritual lives together and start anew elsewhere. The number of prospective victims is endless. How can you possibly place a price tag on that, while excluding them from rebuilding within the community?
This case is very unique, and we cannot remain silent while eminent domain is wielded like a weapon against the religious community. This is not a simple battle of landowners versus government, it’s a fight for religious freedom, which is enshrined in America’s Constitution. In this case, if the government is going to willfully disregard the “just compensation” clause and then place a moratorium on the construction of new churches; they will have effectively violated both the first and fifth amendment of our constitution of tens of thousands of potential church going litigants.
Vincent Cavaleri
Mill Creek Councilman
COMMENTARY DISCLAIMER: The views and comments expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Lynnwood Times nor any of its affiliates.
Editor’s Note: Below is Sound Transit’s response received by the Lynnwood Times on Monday, March 23, 2026 to Mill Creek Councilman Cavaleri’s commentary:
Quote: “Sound Transit intends to use the property for ‘potential future light rail expansion’ and a facility for testing and conditioning of its light rail vehicles.”
Sound Transit is not acquiring the Christian Faith Center’s Federal Way property for potential use. The agency is actively working to deliver the projects voters approved in the ST3 ballot measure, and the Operations and Maintenance Facility South is a necessary component of expanding Link light rail across the region. A contract to begin construction will be before the Sound Transit Board this week.
Quote: “…but the rules are different in progressive led states; their prejudiced posture towards Christian and Jewish facilities have become nothing short of overtly disparate.”
Sound Transit has engaged with the Christian Faith Center in the same way it does all other property owners. CFC has been provided with the full suite of acquisition and relocation assistance to which it is entitled.
This is false. Christian Faith Center has acquired property for the construction of a new church building directly across Highway 99 from its existing building. CFC is currently working through the permitting process with the City of Federal Way and hopes to begin construction of its new building in the coming months.
Quote: “But to make matters even worse for the prospering Christian Church, if that were even possible, King County Washington has placed a moratorium on the building of new church facilities within its governing jurisdiction; thus, creating a first amendment conflict as well. Not only do they intend on taking the land and structures for pennies on the dollar but will not allow the religious organization to rebuild within its governing region.”
This is false. Christian Faith Center has acquired property for the construction of a new church building directly across Highway 99 from its existing building. CFC is currently working through the permitting process with the City of Federal Way and hopes to begin construction of its new building in the coming months.
There probably should have been a disclaimer that, according to his Ballotpedia page, Cavaleri is a volunteer at the church.
Author: Lynnwood Times Contributor
8 Responses
The constitution does not guarantee a building to worship in.
Yes it does.
The government should not take something that others had to work long and hard to have from them for pennies on the dollar let alone take it from the people that own it when the main reason for having it is to help others the government’s main reason is money hungry s.o.b.s that is not fair nor should it be allowed they should have to pay the church at least 100 times it’s worth plus allow them to rebuild on government land like maybe the capital then and only then would it be fair.You want something that someone else doesn’t want to sell then at least pay more then what it’s worth otherwise leave them alone and p.t .is not worth it
Casey Treat is basically a scam artist and this is less of a church and more of a cult.
Not true. Casey Treat’s 45 years of faithful ministry and family life speaks for itself. I have known about his ministry since the 1980’s and have served in his church for the last 5 years. No pastor or church is perfect but Christian Faith Center is bringing sinners to salvation and making disciples for Christ.
Thank you Vincent for this excellent article! I pray that it goes viral and that the Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office hears about this case. What’s happening here is not right. Please share this article on social media!
As much as I dont like big mega type churches this is wrong. How can they claim eminent domain then say well ypu can’t rebuild now. This should be the exception to that moratorium.
Dear Vincent Cavaleri,
While I appreciate your efforts to bring this to light, you fail to mention actions we can take to fight back against this egregious land grab. Please list some actions we might take, where we go, and how to proceed effectively. It’s obvious that our politicians do not listen to their constituents, as in the latest tax invocation, so what are we to do?
I have no interest in this particular church, or whether they even “deserve” to exist (with Casey Treat as their pastor), this is an event that has much larger repercussions reaching far and wide and will set precedence in the area.
Sound Transit needs to be reined in!!