The Spring Hill City Council on July 10 authorized the mayor to enter into a real estate contract to purchase property at 100 South Main Street for $95,000 to provide additional parking adjacent to the city’s Public Works facility and police department.

City staff said the property sits between the Public Works Building and the police department and is currently a vacant commercial parcel formerly operated as a wash. “Parking down there can get a little dicey for public works, same with police department,” Mr. Lao, who presented the item, said. He told the council staff had agreed on principal terms with the seller and that the $95,000 purchase price had been accepted. The city will complete title and deed work, including a warranty deed for the main parcel and a quitclaim deed for a small sliver of uncertain title; staff said they were comfortable proceeding and would hold the transaction if any substantial contract terms changed.

“Parking’s already an issue down there,” Mayor and council members said in discussion; one councilor noted the parcel appeared split on county mapping but staff explained the split related to an earlier plotting error the owner had been paying taxes on. The council approved the purchase motion, with funding to come from the general fund; the motion passed 4-0-0.

Why it matters: The acquisition is intended to provide public parking for city staff and the public near Municipal facilities and to relieve weekend and event parking pressure downtown. Staff said they will replat the parcel after acquisition so the city clearly owns the needed area.