Merriam City Council voted to authorize a resolution approving the purchase of real property at 5001 Merriam Drive in an amount not to exceed $220,000. Staff told council the site fronts Merriam Drive at the southwest corner of Antioch and Merriam Drive and is roughly 34,000 square feet.

The city had an appraisal of $190,000 and staff said the asking price was higher; the council approved a negotiated purchase to complete city ownership of three parcels in that triangular area. "We negotiated the $2.00 5, which is less than 10% over appraisal," staff said during the presentation, and the motion to approve the purchase in an amount not to exceed $220,000 passed 7‑0.

City staff said the acquisition aligns with a planning and CIP effort to investigate improvements at the nearby intersection and to provide the city greater control over future redevelopment options at that location. Council asked no substantive questions before voting to approve the resolution authorizing the purchase.