Largo commission authorizes staff to negotiate purchase of Ulmerton Road parcels for future Fire Station 38

The Largo City Commission on Jan. 21 authorized city staff to negotiate to purchase three adjoining parcels on Ulmerton Road for the future relocation and reconstruction of Fire Station 38.

City staff described the three parcels as a single 2.55-acre assemblage owned by one trust; staff said the parcels are an ‘‘ideal shape, size and location’’ for a replacement for Station 38 and that the property owner prefers to sell all three parcels in one transaction. An independent commercial appraisal conducted in St. Petersburg appraised the assemblage at $2,010,000, staff said.

The commission discussed site size, likely program needs (a four-bay station with 12 dorms, dedicated bunker-gear storage and stormwater retention), and reuse or disposition of the existing Station 38 parcel. Staff said the current one-acre site lacks stormwater retention and that the new site’s 2.5 acres would accommodate modern NFPA-based layouts and site utilities. Commissioners asked whether the city would demolish existing buildings on the new parcels; staff said demolition and site-development costs are expected and have been accounted for in the Capital Improvement Program.

Commissioners also asked about leases on the existing commercial parcels; staff said they had discussed a multi-month timeframe with the owner to allow lease conclusions and tenant transitions and that a billboard on the property would require a separate agreement.

Vice Mayor Holmes moved to authorize negotiation; the motion was seconded and approved 7-0. Staff said negotiations would reference the appraisal as a benchmark and that the city would return to the commission for approval of any purchase agreement.

The commission’s action authorizes negotiation only; it does not complete a purchase. Final purchase and any subsequent station design, funding and construction will require separate approvals.