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Council delays approval of exclusive broker for 87.5-acre Fultz Extension property after requests for more review
Summary
Strongsville City Council placed an ordinance authorizing an exclusive sales listing agreement for about 87.5 acres near the Fultz Extension on first reading after several council members asked for additional time to review the selection process and proposed contract terms.
Strongsville City Council on May 19 placed an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an exclusive sales-listing agreement for roughly 87.5 acres of city-owned industrial land near the Fultz Extension on first reading and left the measure in committee for further review.
Council members said they needed more time to see proposals, ask questions about the broker selection and consider how any sale would fit the city’s long-range plans for the property.
The land is marketed as approximately 87.5 acres that city staff said may be impacted by wetlands and earlier reviews by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Councilman Clark, who participated in the selection interviews, read a portion of the proposed broker agreement and emphasized the council’s continuing control over any sale, saying, "it is your right to approve, modify, reject, or disapprove any and all proposals and offers, as well as any prospective purchases for the property." He added the mayor’s entering an agreement would not itself effect a sale.
Several council members said they had not had the same access to the vendor interviews that others had. Councilwoman Roff asked for a two-week delay "to do my due diligence" and requested the opportunity to meet the chosen broker in person. Economic development staff told council four firms responded to the city's request for proposals and that staff and the mayor had interviewed all four firms.
City staff said earlier marketing would accelerate potential development, noting the extension of Fultz Avenue is expected to reach a cul-de-sac by the end of summer and that earlier listing efforts had not produced a buyer. "Time is money," one staff speaker said when urging prompt approval; council members advocating delay replied they wanted to ensure all members had the same information before a final vote.
No final sales agreement was executed. The ordinance (No. 2025-64) was placed on first reading and left in committee; council members asked staff to provide more detailed material and to make the broker available for questions before the next meeting.
What happens next: staff will provide the requested materials and the broker will be made available for council review; the ordinance remains on first reading and in committee pending further consideration.
