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Parks staff: city bought former lodge near brewery for $1.565 million; funded with PIF, MPD and general fund
Summary
Parks staff told the commission the department purchased a 6,000‑square‑foot lodge near the golf course and craft district for $1,565,000 and plans to use park impact fees, Metropolitan Park District funds and a general‑fund contribution for acquisition and early repairs.
Parks staff reported the city purchased a lodge building adjacent to the golf course and craft district for $1,565,000 and plans to convert parts of the structure into parks and recreation office space and meeting rooms.
The lodge, described in the presentation as roughly 6,000 square feet on nearly 2 acres and formerly used as the Serendipity Learning Center, came onto the market with an original asking price of $2.2 million. Staff said an April 2025 appraisal listed the property at $1.9 million and the county assessor value was $1.8 million; the agreed purchase price was $1.565 million. "We bought it for 1.565," said Speaker 2, a parks staff presenter.
Staff said they intend to use park impact fees (PIF) as the primary financing source, along with about $500,000 of Metropolitan Park District (MPD) money and roughly $150,000 from the general fund; staff also noted an additional ~ $285,000 planned for initial improvements and adaptation of interior spaces. Speaker 2 said the city is leasing the building until the current lessee releases it and that staff are proceeding through closing to occupy some offices as soon as possible.
Commissioners asked about accessibility and whether an elevator would be required for upstairs public space. Staff replied the building official indicated an elevator is only required if the city creates public spaces upstairs; no immediate elevator installation is planned.
Why it matters: the acquisition gives the parks department a permanent site for program operations and public meetings and consolidates several functions now spread across leased spaces. Staff emphasized the decision was opportunistic (the purchase contract closed quickly) and that renovation and operational details will be refined as staff bring project timelines and cost estimates back to the commission.
Next steps: staff said they will evaluate parking expansion, finalize interior layouts for offices and public counters, and return with implementation timelines and budget detail to the commission.
