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Commission approves pre-suit settlement for FAMU Way Phase 4 land; tenants ask for relocation help
Summary
The City Commission unanimously approved a pre-suit settlement agreement for Parcel 255 to support the FAMU Way Phase 4 project, with staff saying the negotiated sale allows the city to proceed with a planned roundabout and other corridor improvements.
The commission approved staff's recommendation to accept a pre-suit settlement agreement for Parcel 255, a property needed for the FAMU Way Phase 4 project. The vote was unanimous.
Why it matters: The pre-suit settlement clears a path for the city to acquire land needed to complete the FAMU Way corridor improvements, which include a roundabout at the intersection of FAMU Way and Monroe that staff said will better manage traffic flows compared with existing signals. The design shift as a result of the negotiated sale may fully impact a restaurant tenant on the property.
Terms and details: City staff said the seller, 1215 South Adams LLC, agreed to sell the entire parcel for the appraised value of $525,000 plus fees and costs including $73,767 for the seller's attorney and $52,324 for the seller's planner, appraiser and consulting engineer. The Real Estate Committee reviewed and recommended approval.
Tenant concerns and staff response: Q Arnold, who identified himself as representing Big D's Barbecue and as a tenant at 1215 South Adams Street, urged clarity on timelines and relocation options for the business and its roughly 15 subcontractors. Staff said the tenant attended recent design meetings and that the city's project manager (Robert Culverhouse and other staff) would meet with the business owner to discuss timelines and relocation assistance. Engineering staff explained that the roundabout option "works better than the existing signal" in traffic models and that adjustments to FAMU Way (a dedicated left-turn lane, other improvements) aim to reduce queueing on Monroe.
Vote and next steps: The commission voted to approve the pre-suit settlement agreement and authorized staff to complete closing costs and related steps. Staff will follow up with the business owner about relocation timing and potential mitigation, and engineering will finalize design extents to confirm whether the building will be fully impacted.
