Dare County panel authorizes negotiations over Wanchese Alexander property after residents press for park, EMS or condemnation

Chairman Bobby Owens called a special meeting Jan. 15 to revisit a possible county acquisition of the Alexander property in Wanchese, saying the owner had raised his asking price since last fall and staff had prepared tax‑district and purchase scenarios to inform a decision.

The discussion centered on three legal routes: an outright purchase, forming a special tax district limited to statutorily enumerated public purposes, or condemnation (eminent domain). County Manager Ken Mann told the board the 2024 tax value for the parcel was $300,600 and that the assessor’s current fair‑market value for 2025 is $1,028,300. Mann said the owner first declined offers, sought $5,000,000 in the fall, and — after clearing the land — told county staff he would now take $6,000,000.

“Based on the values at that time, that was 16 times the tax value and 5 times the value of the property,” Mann said, noting earlier outreach from the county had yielded an initial purchase price of about $1,000,000 in July 2024. He…