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Council declines purchase of 300 Frontage Road property; Lions Club and councilors cite price concerns
Summary
City Council voted to deny a staff‑proposed purchase of a 0.44‑acre parcel at 300 Frontage Road intended to consolidate and expand Lions Park after testimony that the city should not pay the asking price.
The Council voted to deny a resolution authorizing acquisition of a 0.44‑acre parcel at 300 Frontage Road that staff recommended purchasing to consolidate Lions Park.
Staff said the parcel lies between two city‑owned park segments and that reuniting the land would allow a consolidated park strategy for the north end. The property owner offered the site for $380,000 (about $19.82 per square foot); staff said previous offers had been lower. The city attorney and staff described the site’s history: the city previously owned the underlying ground but earlier arrangements left a private building on the lot and later conveyed the parcel.
David Moore of the Lions Club told the council the Lions support improvements to Lions Park but opposed a deal that sets a precedent of paying “double” market prices; he said typical comparable ground could be valued closer to $9–$10 per square foot. Councilors questioned whether the asked price was a sound use of city funds given additional remediation or demolition costs to restore the parcel for park uses.
Councilor Register moved to deny the staff resolution to proceed with the purchase; Councilor Allgood seconded. The motion to deny passed unanimously. Councilors instructed staff to continue evaluating park investments and to pursue other options for consolidating parkland without accepting the owner’s current asking price.
