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County attorney to pursue restoration of roads tied to Washington Square; commission authorizes negotiation and legal remedies
Summary
The Board approved a staff recommendation to accept a status report and authorized staff to enter an agreement with the Washington Square owner to restore county rights of way; the county attorney also retained authority to sue if negotiations fail. Staff said remediation would take about 60 days once work begins.
On June 10 the Leon County Commission authorized staff to accept a status report on public roads and rights of way affected by the Washington Square development and approved a second option authorizing the county to negotiate an agreement with the owner and developer to restore county rights of way and to pursue legal remedies if negotiations or compliance fail.
County Attorney Chastity said recent discussions with the developer indicated the owner had tentatively agreed to the scope of work needed to prepare the county rights of way. She recommended that the board accept the status report and authorize staff to memorialize an agreement to restore the rights of way; her office would pursue legal options if the parties fail to reach terms or fail to perform.
The county’s public-works staff estimated repair and restoration work would take approximately 60 days to complete once the scope is set, and the attorney said the county would incorporate a “tight deadline” into any agreement and enforce it. The county attorney told the board that, while litigation remains an alternative, voluntary performance by the developer is the quickest and most cost-effective path to restore county roads; litigation would require entering the court queue and is likely to take longer.
Commissioner O'Keefe moved and Commissioner Minor seconded acceptance of options 1 and 2 (status report and authorization to enter an agreement plus legal authority). Commissioners praised the county attorney’s work and the motion passed unanimously.
Why this matters: The action is aimed at restoring public infrastructure the county says was affected by the Washington Square development. By approving both negotiation authority and the option to pursue legal remedies, the board gave staff flexibility to seek a swift, enforceable remediation while preserving the county’s right to litigate if necessary.
What’s next: Staff will draft an agreement with firm performance deadlines (public works estimated completion in about 60 days) and the county attorney’s office said it will seek immediate court remedies if the owner does not perform under the agreement or if terms cannot be reached.
