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Commission approves purchase of 160 Marine St. for Lake Maria Sanchez floodwall staging and protection
Summary
The City agreed to buy 160 Marine Street for $1.475 million to allow construction and staging of a flood wall that is part of the Lake Maria Sanchez drainage improvements; staff said the purchase avoids eminent-domain costs and could be resold after the project.
The St. Augustine City Commission on June 23 approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to purchase the vacant parcel at 160 Marine Street for $1,475,000 to support construction of a flood wall tied to the Lake Maria Sanchez drainage improvements project.
City staff told commissioners the appraisal for the parcel was $1,284,000; staff and the seller negotiated a purchase price above the appraisal but said the city would avoid additional legal costs and potential eminent-domain litigation by purchasing the site now. Staff estimated that avoiding eminent-domain litigation and related legal costs would save roughly $228,426, reducing the net premium to about $37,426 above appraised value.
“The property at 160 Marine Street is a vacant parcel that is one of the three properties the city needs to construct a flood wall on the east side of Maria Sanchez Creek to protect the southern portion of downtown from flooding,” City Manager Steven Bertram told the commission. Bertram said the city plans to use the parcel as a construction staging area during the project and could sell the property after improvements are completed, with the property’s value increased by the new flood wall and associated maintenance easement.
Staff said the purchase would support construction sequencing and reduce the need to rent an off-site staging area; the property would be connected to the broader basin improvements that are expected to protect roughly 186 structures in the southern downtown basin.
Commissioners approved the resolution by roll call. Several commissioners said they preferred to leave future decisions about resale or long-term retention of the parcel open, and staff said any future sale would be a separate city decision and subject to market conditions and future commission direction.
The purchase is part of the Lake Maria Sanchez drainage improvements project; staff said acquisition is necessary for the flood-barrier construction and to keep the overall program on schedule.
