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Opelika CRA eyes 2100 Lincoln property, seeks negotiating authority; staff updates on property management and RFPs
Summary
CRA staff presented an appraisal and asked the board for approval to continue negotiations to purchase two corner properties near Duval and Lincoln (appraisal $675,000); board members gave a general nod for negotiation. Staff also reported on property-management bids, tenant vacate notices and upcoming RFPs for downtown parcels.
The Opelika Community Redevelopment Agency discussed purchasing two corner properties near Duval and Lincoln — including a site identified as 2100 Lincoln Avenue — and authorized staff to continue negotiations with the owner after an appraisal of $675,000 for both parcels.
The interim executive director said the appraisal came back at $675,000 for both properties and the owner requested approximately 10% more than that appraisal. The director asked the board, "without objection, I can move on and continue my conversations" to permit him to negotiate up to that level; board members signaled support and several members emphasized the proposed purchase could spur future redevelopment in the block. The director cautioned any final purchase above appraisal would return to the board for a formal vote.
The director said much of the surrounding block is owned by Miami-Dade County and private owners, and characterized the two corner parcels as strategically valuable for possible infill housing or other redevelopment. He noted funding constraints and said the agency would explore seller financing and other approaches; seller financing or incurring debt would require separate approvals from the city and the county.
In a related update, the director told the board the agency received three bids for a property-management contract and intends to delay hiring while staff pursues in-house options and completes tenant vacate notices. The director said vacate letters were prepared for tenants at the Pink Shopping Plaza and that the agency is finalizing requests for proposals (RFPs) for development of other downtown properties, with drafts expected to be circulated to the board in late October and presented for a vote in an upcoming meeting.
Board members asked staff to coordinate with the city commission and county officials if a purchase proceeds, to consider grant-writing capacity to fund social programs, and to avoid incurring debt without prior approvals. The board did not take a binding vote to purchase; the action taken was direction to staff to continue negotiations and return with a final offer for board approval.
