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Commissioners approve upset-bid process for 3.5-acre Sturmer Park parcel, order study for remaining acreage
Summary
After public comment and lengthy debate over historic and recreational value, the board voted 4-3 to advertise an offer and begin an upset-bid process for a 3.5-acre portion of Sturmer Park and to study park use for roughly the remaining six acres.
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners voted 4-3 on Jan. 30 to proceed with an upset-bid process for a 3.5-acre portion of property near 5580 Sturmer Park Circle and to direct staff to study possible park use for the remaining adjacent acreage.
The board's action authorizes publication of an offer to purchase the 3.5-acre parcel for $3,000,000 by negotiated offer, advertisement and upset-bid procedure. If no upset bids are received, the board will consider the final highest offer at a subsequent meeting; if upset bids are received, the upset-bid process will continue and the board will again act on the last and highest offer.
Multiple residents and community members urged the board to preserve the property for park use. Jeremy Thomas and Anne Thomas Baker described the recreational value of the site for a beginner disc-golf course, and noted adjacency to North Forsyth High School and the county animal shelter, which they said could support low-cost dog-walking and volunteer programs. Commissioner Linville provided historical context, explaining that the broader parcel was once part of the county farm and noting the compacted remnant acreage now under discussion.
Commissioners split along fiscal and preservation lines. Commissioners who supported proceeding with the upset-bid process said the $3 million offer represents significant revenue that could help pay down county debt and that the portion being sold is the most road-adjacent, less-treed area; they said the remaining acreage could still be used for park purposes, including a historical marker. Commissioners opposed said parks are costly to maintain, the remaining acreage and traffic impacts merit preservation, and that the county should not dispose of historically significant land without exhausting preservation options.
The compromise motion approved by the board directs staff to publish the offer and conduct the upset-bid notice for the 3.5-acre portion while initiating a study and formation of a committee or study group to evaluate park use for the remaining approximately 5.5'6.1 acres. The motion was carried 4-3; commissioners voting in favor and against were recorded by hand vote. The board did not accept the $3,000,000 offer at this meeting; it only authorized the upset-bid/advertisement procedure and directed staff follow-up.
County staff clarified that the 3.5-acre portion is not currently designated as a county park and is not maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department; staff also noted that any roadway improvements referenced by NCDOT would require a study and developer due diligence. The county will post a 10-day notice of the upset-bid period and return with the last and highest offer after the period closes.
Commissioners asked staff to consider a historical marker describing the property's role in the county farm and to coordinate any park-study work with the city and existing adjacent facilities, including the animal shelter and school.
