SUBJECT
title
Authorize the conveyance of County’s interest in Parcel ID Number 253005-372500-010021 to the City of Bartow and adopt a resolution authorizing the conveyance. (No fiscal impact)
body
DESCRIPTION
The County acquired the property currently identified Parcel ID Number 253005-372500-010021 through Warranty Deeds dated July of 1942 and October of 1959. The property is a rectangular shaped parcel located at the southeast corner of Central Avenue North and Davidson Street (across from the Historic Courthouse) in downtown Bartow. The western half of the property is improved with a two-story brick office building which was constructed over 100-years ago. A portion of the first floor of the building was most recently utilized as office space by the court system’s Family Mediation and for various storage, but the building is currently vacant and is not being utilized by the County. The eastern half of the property contains a large air conditioning chiller unit which services the Historic Courthouse. The County has no plans to utilize the building and due to the fact that the property is located within the City of Bartow’s (“City”) Community Redevelopment Agency (“CRA”) boundaries, county staff contacted City staff to inquire if it had any interest in acquiring the property for its use. After reviewing the property and meeting with the City Commission and CRA Board the City issued a letter formally requesting the County convey the property to it to be restored for use as office space by City and CRA staff and other public uses. A County Deed was provided to the City during its review for the conveyance of the property which contains a provision that the property must be used for a public purpose or revert back to the County. Additionally, the deed reserves an easement to the County over most of the eastern half of the property to allow for the continued operation and maintenance of the chiller unit.
Authorizing the conveyance of the subject property to the City, by County Deed with the easement reservation and reverter provision, will allow the City to utilize the property for a public purpose. Additionally, it will allow the parcel to be removed from the County’s Land Inventory and eliminate any future maintenance responsibilities associated with the building located on the property. The subject parcel is to be conveyed in “as is” condition and the conveyance of the property will be by County Deed.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board authorize the conveyance by County Deed of the County’s interest, including any interests which may otherwise be reserve by Florida Statute, in the above-mentioned parcel with the above mentioned easement reservation and reverter provision, to the City of Bartow and adopt a resolution authorizing the conveyance of the property.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item.
CONTACT INFORMATION
R. Wade Allen, Administrator
Real Estate Services
863-534-2577