To request authorization to proceed with the purchase of a subject parcel adjacent to the former public works site. City staff has concluded negotiations with the property owner to acquire the subject parcel identified as Palm Beach County Parcel Control Number 56-43-42-28-31-015-0010.  This particular parcel possesses significant frontage on W. Blue Heron Boulevard. and allows for the feasibility of creating a municipal services complex that conceivably can house both utility district operations, as well as public works activities. Acquiring this parcel that has a landmass of 1.93 acres allows for more flexibility to accommodate joint operations on the two parcels. The parcel to the south, which is the former home of the public works operations, is approximately 6 acres in size. By combining both parcels, the city would have approximately 8 acres to accommodate these two operational departments.

There were three appraisals conducted on the parcel, one which was paid for by the city, and to buy the property, the negotiated price, which is within the appraised value, was agreed upon based on the information contained in the appraisals. The sale price is $1.375 million. Staff believes that acquiring this parcel will satisfy the city’s desire to relocate the utility district and to construct a modern municipal services complex that is desperately needed. Without this parcel, this vision is significantly more challenging and would require the city looking at alternative sites for public works operation. Lastly, relocating the utility district to this parcel will provide the opportunity for the city to vacate the existing site and utilize the parcel and a master plan development that spurs additional economic growth and development along the corridor.