GUNTER, Texas — City and economic development officials on Nov. 7 discussed buying a 0.98-acre parcel the school district has declared surplus as a location for park and downtown overflow parking.

Staff said the parcel, located directly west of the school behind the playground, could be bought by the city or the EDC. A staff member told the board the school’s superintendent, Martindale, had been receptive to selling the land to a government entity outside a sealed-bid process. The staff member said he proposed $8 per square foot — within a $7–$10 range a local developer suggested — which would amount to roughly $360,000.

Why it matters: The council and EDC described the site as strategic for park functionality, emergency access and future downtown development, and said impervious surface there would improve year-round usability for events and reduce muddy conditions that hinder community markets.

Council members and EDC representatives raised several qualification issues the city must check before committing money: deed restrictions tied to public use if the property transfers between public entities; limits associated with Texas Parks and Wildlife grants used on the original playground; and infrastructure constraints (the site lacks sewer and water connections and sits in a low area that may require fill or drainage work). Staff noted those grant and deed restrictions could prevent turning the parcel to private use later.

Funding and next steps: Officials said the city has reserves and the EDC could participate in buying or enhancing the site, but the city has not yet received asphalt bids or final cost estimates for improvements. Staff will seek more information from the district and report back; the school indicated it would notify the council if and when it moves the parcel into a bid process.

A council member said staff should return quickly with a recommendation and clarified whether the EDC would buy the land or the city would. The EDC said it is receptive to exploring the purchase but asked for more detail on price and any restrictions before a decision is scheduled.

The discussion was informational; no purchase authorization was made at the meeting.