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DeBary approves $700,000 settlement to take ownership of long-troubled commercial parcel
Summary
The City of DeBary voted to purchase a dilapidated commercial property tied to long-running code-enforcement fines and foreclosure proceedings for $700,000. The settlement calls for the seller to satisfy the first mortgage and for the city to waive accrued fines and expedite cleanup and listing of the site.
The DeBary City Council authorized a $700,000 settlement on a multi-year code-enforcement dispute that will transfer ownership of a long-troubled commercial property (the former Bank of America building at 150 S. U.S. Highway 1792) to the city.
City manager told the council the property had accumulated substantial code-enforcement fines and that the city filed a lien and foreclosure proceeding after the owner remained noncompliant. "On or about June 17th, 2025, the accrued fines were totaling $247,000," the city manager said, describing the enforcement history. Under the negotiated settlement, the city will purchase the property for $700,000, the seller will satisfy the first mortgage so title transfers free and clear, the city will waive the accrued fines and each party will pay their own attorneys; the seller will pay brokerage fees.
Council members discussed sale-price expectations and post-closing steps. Council member Cell asked whether listing or resale targets had been set; the city manager said staff will work with a broker and aim to recover the city's expenses while prioritizing prompt redevelopment. Vice Mayor Butland urged immediate visible cleanup after acquisition, suggesting power washing, tree removal and debris pickup to signal progress to neighbors.
"This has been the eyesore of DeBary and I really hate those comments. So I'm excited to have this place cleaned up and done something with it," Vice Mayor Butland said.
Council voted to approve the settlement and authorized the city manager to execute the agreements; roll-call votes recorded yes from Vice Mayor Butland and Council members Papalardo, Cell and Stevenson. The city intends to secure and make the building presentable and then list it with conditions to ensure a timely redevelopment by a private buyer.
The action ends a protracted enforcement and foreclosure process and gives the city direct control over remediation and marketing of the property.
