Council signals preference for Wayland Road site and authorizes staff to pursue negotiations and market interest for Range Trail property

The Verona Common Council on June 23 discussed potential locations for a new Public Works facility and directed staff to pursue two parallel paths: engage the Wayland Road property owner about acquisition and prepare a market solicitation for the Range Trail property the city currently owns.

Council members repeatedly said they prefer the Wayland Road site for its accessibility and long-term flexibility, while acknowledging the city already owns the roughly 20-acre Range Trail parcel and could develop it if needed. Public Works Director Jamie Manning told the council he “prefer[s] the Wayland Road site” for access and operational suitability, but noted Range Trail is owned by the city and could serve as a fallback.

Councilors asked staff to move quickly because the Wayland parcel was reportedly available and the longer the city waits the greater the risk the property could be sold to another buyer. Staff said the city has appraisals for both parcels and suggested using a request-for-information (RFI) or request-for-proposal (RFP) process to solicit offers for the Range Trail parcel. Several council members recommended an initial RFI to obtain quick market feedback, with the option to issue a formal RFP later.

The council asked staff to return a draft RFI/RFP for review (targeted for the July 14 meeting) and to continue confidential discussions with the Wayland owner; staff said they could seek negotiation authority if discussions progressed. Members said they favored keeping Range Trail flexible to maximize sale value, with some councilors noting potential options such as housing or mixed use. No final purchase or sale was approved in open session; councilors authorized staff to pursue negotiations and to prepare the market solicitation.