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City to explore purchase of property at 160 Marine Street to speed drainage project and avoid eminent-domain litigation
Summary
City staff reported a property owner offered to sell the central parcel needed for the Lake Maria Sanchez drainage project; commissioners authorized staff to obtain an updated appraisal and evaluate acquisition to avoid eminent-domain litigation costs and use the parcel as a construction laydown area.
City manager staff told commissioners that as the city pursues easements for a Lake Maria Sanchez drainage-improvement project, one holdout property owner offered to sell a central lot at 160 Marine Street rather than litigate eminent-domain rights.
The owner submitted an asking price of $1.4 million, and staff reported an existing appraisal is on file but would need updating. Staff recommended obtaining a new appraisal and returning to the commission with a draft resolution and purchase terms. The manager noted that acquiring the lot could reduce attorney fees and provide a temporary construction laydown area during the drainage project; after project completion the city could consider selling the parcel.
Commissioners expressed support for ordering an updated appraisal and pursuing the option. The commission gave consensus for staff to proceed with an appraisal and bring a purchase recommendation back to the commission.
If the city proceeds, staff said they would present a purchase resolution, a current appraisal and an analysis of project benefits, construction staging uses and estimated resale options. Commissioners asked staff to proceed expeditiously so the drainage project’s schedule would not be delayed by protracted eminent-domain proceedings.
