College Park Pentecostal Holiness Church v General Steel Corp.
College Park Church talked to General Steel about contruction on the church property. The contract for it said it was urgent for it to be sent back the day of, especially the "conditions," which included arbitration. The church paid $45 grand for a deposit, then wanted to add more to the design so sent over an additional $50 grand. However, the materials price went up, so they wanted to go back to the first design. General Steel didn't send back the $50 grand. General Steel claimed that it never agreed to help with zoning or construction, but the pastor claims that it was exactly what they HAD said they would do on the phone with the pastor. Church filed suit. General Steel filed a motion to dismiss on the arbitration clause. The courts wanted to see more documentation first since it would be a long way for the church people to travel to arbitrate.
In this case, why didn't the court enforce the arbitration clause in the contract?