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Owensboro approves purchase of 121-acre Massey site, funds to come from economic development savings
Summary
The commission approved two real-estate purchases totaling about 121 acres of the Massey site for future industrial development, paid from a designated economic development fund so the general fund won’t be affected; a related budget amendment will appropriate the saved funds and record a $500,000 private donation for a pickleball land purchase.
Owensboro’s City Commission voted to buy two parcels of the Massey site this meeting, combining roughly 121 acres for future industrial development and long-term economic planning. City Manager Nate Pagan said the city paid $38,500 per acre for the larger 73.372-acre parcel and that the property appraised at $41,022 per acre, adding the price is below appraisal and the purchase was funded from a designated economic development fund rather than the general fund.
Brad Davis, vice president of business development for the economic development corporation, said there has been “a considerable amount of due diligence” on the site, including a Phase I environmental review and a site intelligence report, and described the property as ready for development once infrastructure is installed.
Pagan told commissioners the land has “good frontage on West Parrish/Highway 81” with four-lane access to the bypass and that the city has been saving for an industrial land acquisition to attract jobs and investment. Commissioners discussed flexibility on future parcelization — the land could be subdivided into multiple lots or offered as larger tracts depending on tenant needs.
The commission approved Municipal Orders 16-2025 and 17-2025 authorizing the purchase agreements for the two parcels. Pagan said the acquisition is part of long-term planning and that funds were set aside in advance so the purchase will not require debt or draw from the city’s primary operating fund. On first reading later in the agenda, the commission also heard a proposed budget amendment to appropriate the funds for the Massey purchase into the fiscal-year 2025–26 budget.
The budget amendment presented on first reading also incorporates a $500,000 donation from the River City Pickleball Club to support a related land purchase; the donation will be added to the appropriate fund when construction proceeds and expenses begin. The first reading was informational only; the purchase approvals and the budget amendment will be reflected in forthcoming appropriation paperwork.
Next steps: staff will complete the real-estate closings and begin planning necessary infrastructure work (utilities, access roads) and a future appropriation will appear as the budget amendment moves to final reading.
