Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Acquisition Conservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County staff briefs commissioners on pending Durrance Place and Hale Grove conservation purchases
Summary
Staff presented a status update on two Tier‑1 environmental‑land bond nominations — Durrance Place (11.74 acres) and Hale Grove (21.89 acres) — including appraisals, negotiated sale prices and proposed due‑diligence schedules; both parcels are contiguous and intended for salt‑marsh restoration, water‑quality treatment and passive public access.
County staff briefed the Board on Sept. 23 about progress negotiating purchase contracts for two Tier‑1 environmental‑land bond nominations: Hale Grove (21.89 acres) and Durrance Place (11.74 acres). No formal acquisition vote was requested at the briefing; both potential purchases are scheduled for public notice and forthcoming board consideration.
Wendy Swindell and Beth Powell of the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Division described both parcels as former citrus groves adjacent to the Indian River Lagoon with significant restoration potential. Hale Grove was appraised at $2,125,000 and $2,455,000; staff said an agreed sale price of $2,540,000 was negotiated with the owner. Durrance Place appraisals (for an 11.74‑acre portion now under consideration) returned $1,230,000 and $1,190,000; staff said a negotiated purchase price of about $1.26 million has been agreed.
Both parcels are contiguous and include historic salt‑marsh signatures and existing DOT conveyances that staff said could be incorporated into treatment wetlands to improve lagoon water quality, similar to prior county projects that use tidal exchange and vegetation treatment. Staff noted the parcels’ value for habitat restoration, public access and future education programming; they also highlighted DOT cooperation and potential for leveraging grant funds because of the lagoon‑restoration nexus.
The environmental‑lands advisory panel (ELAP) reviewed and supported both nominations at its Sept. 16 meeting. Staff said public notice of the purchase agreements will be published and that Durrance Place would have a 30‑day due‑diligence period while Hale Grove would carry a 60‑day due‑diligence period ahead of board action on the closing. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate jurisdictional responsibilities with the Fellsmere Water Control District and the City of Fellsmere before final design work.
