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County presents surplus-property analysis as commissioners ask for targeted follow-ups
Summary
County real estate staff identified roughly $2.2 million in surplus properties and outlined longer-term strategies to leverage larger parcels for revenue; commissioners requested follow-up on specific sites and feasibility of alternative uses including housing for service members.
Hillsborough County staff on June 18 briefed the Board of County Commissioners on an analysis of county-owned property and potential surplus parcels that could generate funding for capital needs such as fire rescue, roads and sidewalks.
Real estate manager John Mueller told commissioners the county holds more than 3,000 folios and roughly 60,000 acres; staff identified about $2.2 million in properties that appear surplus and about $0.5 million in privately saleable buildable parcels. Mueller said certain larger parcels — for example a former landfill “Spruce Street Parcel” in Tampa — could generate substantially higher returns if marketed to maximize value, but sales would follow a multi-step board approval process.
Mueller outlined options to leverage county land for recurring revenue or community benefits, including outright sale, exchange, or long-term partnerships. He cautioned that many properties are not immediate sales candidates because the county may use them to meet future capital needs and to assemble parcels for strategic development. He also said 47 county-owned properties are linked to affordable housing programs and that three properties were purchased with federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding and remain restricted.
Commissioners asked staff for targeted follow-ups. Commissioner Christine Miller requested options for an overgrown site near Bloomingdale and Chomino Elementary — a parcel escheated to the county in 1996 that she asked staff to bring options for cleaning and a passive park. Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda asked staff to investigate whether the Palm River NSP property could be feasible for military housing for service members assigned to MacDill Air Force Base.
Commissioners also noted examples where county land has supported economic development and public amenities: Morris Bridge, a park project, and the New Tampa performing arts development were cited as cases where strategic use of land produced broader value.
The board received the report 7-0 and directed staff to return with additional analysis and options for the parcels and requests raised during the meeting.
