Council approves city purchase of lot adjacent to library amid expansion talks

The Fairfax City Council approved a motion to have the city purchase the lot next to the public library for $132,000, a step staff said would preserve options for a proposed library expansion.

City staff described a negotiation history involving the bank that currently holds the parcel (staff said the bank previously paid about $150,000) and said the library foundation had requested a right of first refusal. Council members debated whether the city should buy the parcel outright — and absorb the cost and legal work to split a portion for the American Legion — or present a right‑of‑first‑refusal option to the bank. Staff said the bank would need to do the legal work to split off the portion intended to serve the Legion Hall.

Council members pressed staff on negotiation authority and contingencies. Staff sought direction on whether the city should fund the purchase directly from city coffers or have the library foundation raise funds and transfer the lot to the city; councilors said both options had tradeoffs, including timing risks if the foundation were to fundraise. A motion—moved and seconded—to have the city purchase the lot at $132,000, with the bank to handle legal separation for the Legion portion, carried.

Council also discussed whether to include an explicit right of first refusal; staff said that would require presenting a formal offer to the bank and agreement from the bank. Council members who urged purchase said owning the parcel would give the city control of the adjacent property whether or not the library expansion proceeds.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the purchase process at the approved terms and return to council with any required documents or updates on negotiations.