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City to buy frequently flooded house at 504 Ninth Ave. W. for $290,000 to eliminate recurring backups
Summary
Bradenton officials authorized settlement and purchase of 504 Ninth Avenue West for $290,000 after repeated wastewater backups from nearby Lift Station 17; funding will come from the utility reserve fund and the purchase resolves potential eminent-domain litigation and homeowner claims.
Bradenton City Council authorized staff to complete a $290,000 settlement and purchase of a small residential property at 504 Ninth Avenue West that suffered repeated wastewater backflow and flooding, the city announced Wednesday.
City staff member Mr. Perry explained the home is located about 40 feet from a main transmission from Lift Station 17, a master lift station that processes more than two million gallons per day. The property has flooded several times with wastewater; staff evaluated relocation of the lateral which would have required about 400 feet of pipeline relocation and substantial additional cost.
Perry said purchase was chosen after negotiations with the owner failed and the homeowner retained an attorney; the city initiated a condemnation (eminent domain) proceeding and concluded that litigation would require the city to pay the homeowner's legal and expert fees in addition to any valuation adjustments. He said the city obtained appraisals and documented personal-property losses of more than $50,000 and that remediation estimates were in the neighborhood of $75,000.
Perry described the negotiated outcome: "We have a contract to do that, thus far. We're gonna provide that individual, a certain amount of time to get out of the home. We've been paying, for her temporary housing as well through a variety of different funding sources." He said funding for the settlement will come from the city's utility reserve fund and that legal counsel reviewed the settlement documents. Perry added that the city does not plan to surplus the property but expects to use it for mitigation related to the lift station.
Councilmember Coachman moved to authorize the city administrator to effectuate the settlement and purchase for $290,000; Vice Mayor Kramer seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
