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Blueprint seeks school district land for $5 million road extension; board warned about conservancy parcel and eminent domain
Summary
Blueprint has asked Leon County Schools for district land — including a 15‑acre parcel under a conservation easement — to complete a $5 million road extension; board members were told Blueprint also offered an appraisal and may pursue eminent domain if negotiations stall.
Board Member Smith and other board members reported a multi‑agency proposal from Blueprint for a road extension that would route traffic around Robertson/Mumford and connect to a future roadway network.
Board Member Smith said Blueprint requested a portion of district land — including a parcel held in a conservation easement — to build stormwater and road infrastructure tied to a roughly $5 million road project. Smith said Blueprint presented an appraisal putting combined values of the parcels at about $300,000 and asked whether the board would consider contributing the value to help Blueprint negotiate with the conservancy co‑owner.
“...they are asking for a piece of our land as well as a piece of our land that is in a conservancy…that money is to the tune of I think they estimated, and they got an appraisal on it. It's like $300,000,” Smith said. She said she found the idea of donating district value back to Blueprint concerning and urged the board to treat the asset carefully.
Superintendent and board members explained the parcels include roughly 3 acres not in the conservancy and about 15 acres inside a conservation easement; the conservancy co‑owner must also agree to any change. Opal McKinney Williams (district staff) advised the board that if negotiations with the co‑owner fail, Blueprint could institute an eminent domain action and that such a proceeding would obligate payment of fair market value by statute. She said the board should be prepared for that possibility and noted the statutory timelines: roughly 30 days after presentation for the board to respond before action could proceed.
Board members discussed possible leverage, precedents for land dedication and options such as an outright sale at appraised value, a land swap, or insisting Blueprint pursue acquisition with its own funds. Multiple board members emphasized the district's need for the road to relieve daily traffic congestion at Mumford and surrounding schools, and noted Blueprint’s financial capacity to complete the project.
Blueprint planned to present the plan and maps to the board on Feb. 11 with the hope of concluding an agreement by the second board meeting in February; board members said they would take the presentation and appraisal under advisement and discuss options when Blueprint appears.
