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Council approves purchase and authorizes eminent-domain steps for City Park expansion
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Summary
Council approved a purchase-and-sale agreement for 520 Seventeenth Avenue West and adopted a public-purpose resolution authorizing pursuit of eminent-domain for adjacent 516 Seventeenth Ave if necessary; council and staff said both actions support the City Park master plan and are funded in part by grants and appropriations.
Bradenton City Council on Aug. 8 approved a purchase-and-sale agreement for 520 Seventeenth Avenue West and adopted a public-purpose/necessity resolution that authorizes initiating eminent-domain if negotiations for 516 Seventeenth Avenue cannot be completed. Both actions are tied to the City Park master plan and to the city’s strategy of assembling contiguous parcels for park frontage and stormwater improvements.
Staff reported the 520 Seventeenth parcel was appraised and negotiated to a purchase price of $425,000 (an 8.4% premium over appraisal) to avoid broker fees and potential condemnation costs. The city identified multiple funding sources for the City Park project, including $5 million from the Tourist Development Council (TDC) over three years, county ARPA support, a state appropriation of $1 million, and a pending federal appropriation being pursued by Congressman Vern Buchanan.
On the neighboring parcel at 516 Seventeenth, staff said outreach to the owner had been difficult despite certified mail and multiple contact attempts; council adopted Resolution No. 2,598 to establish the public purpose and to enable eminent-domain procedures if voluntary acquisition cannot be completed. Staff said they would continue outreach and prefer to complete the sale consensually, but asked for the resolution to preserve the city’s legal options.
Council rationale: supporters said both parcels are strategically important for City Park circulation, parking and stormwater conveyance. Staff said the parcels also support stormwater design for the master plan. Opponents were not recorded in the public record at the council meeting; the motions passed unanimously.
Action detail: purchase-and-sale for 520 Seventeenth Avenue West — approved 5–0. Resolution 2,598 (public purpose/necessity for 516 Seventeenth Avenue) — approved 5–0.
Ending: Staff said they will continue outreach to property owners and proceed with closings; if eminent-domain is pursued, staff will return to council with supporting affidavits and next steps.
