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Salina commission gives preliminary approval to sell former Glenifer Hill Park to Grand Prairie Villas LLC for $75,000
Summary
The Salina City Commission voted 4-1 to give preliminary approval to sell the former Glenifer Hill Park at 1451 East Gypsum Avenue to Grand Prairie Villas LLC for $75,000, subject to negotiation and contract approval. The parcel drew questions about rezoning, development timelines and its appraised value.
The Salina City Commission gave preliminary approval to sell the city-owned parcel at 1451 East Gypsum Avenue — formerly Glenifer Hill Park — to Grand Prairie Villas LLC for $75,000, subject to final contract approval, following a 4-1 vote on March 10.
Assistant City Manager Sean Hennessy told the commission the parcel was transferred to the city from the Board of Education in 2012 and had been used as a park for roughly a decade before low usage prompted the city to declare it surplus and solicit offers. He said the city received two compliant bids: Kansas Property Investors for $15,165 and Grand Prairie Villas LLC for $75,000.
Commissioners discussed how the property’s current Planned Development District (PDD) designation would affect future uses. "It is currently a PDD," Hennessy said, adding that any change in use would likely require rezoning. City Attorney Wood (title as stated in the meeting) told the commission deed covenants or reversionary language could be used to ensure a buyer develops the property as represented.
Commissioners pressed staff on timeline safeguards and whether deed restrictions should be included. One commissioner said a shorter timeline than five years would be appropriate to ensure development begins promptly; another said a reversion clause that runs with the land could be used if the buyer fails to meet benchmarks. Hennessy confirmed staff could include such conditions in the sale contract and return the contract to the commission for final approval.
Public commenters urged the commission to prioritize infill development and suggested alternatives such as transferring the parcel to a land bank or placing development benchmarks in the contract. Norman Manoslana criticized the sale process during public comment.
Hennessy said the city had not obtained a formal appraisal specifically for this parcel; he noted that the county’s appraisal was "slightly under $100,000," which staff cited as about $98,000, and that no separate, commercial appraisal had been paid for. He also said proceeds from the sale would supplement funds set aside for playground equipment.
The commission’s motion approved a preliminary award to Grand Prairie Villas LLC and directed staff to negotiate the sale contract with conditions the commission requires; the final contract will return to the commission for formal approval.
Votes at a glance: preliminary award to Grand Prairie Villas LLC for $75,000 — passed 4-1; motion specified the sale was "subject to approval of the contract."
