Title: (DD) - Purchase Of Properties Adjacent To Highland Elementary

Description:

• Highland Elementary School’s campus expansion for class size reduction (Project No. 0671-8950) is a prioritized project in the Five Year Capital Plan.

• Program Management, Planning, and Real Estate Services recommended acquisition of the six (6) properties because of their ideal location. 

• One property has already been acquired, two have been approved for purchase by the Board and three remain.  (See Parcel Map, “Exhibit A”)

• To facilitate the timely acquisition of the remaining properties in order to meet the construction timeline, it is necessary to use the eminent domain process.

• The two Board approved properties are being included in the eminent domain resolution as a precaution in the event the contract(s) do not close.

• Staff have made continued efforts to resolve satisfactory negotiations with the three (3) remaining property owners who have indicated that there is no objection to need, only value.

• The Eminent Domain process provides a “quick taking” of each property, but does not limit further negotiations with the owners to arrive at a contractual settlement including distribution of funds either before or after the Order of Taking.

• A Phase I Environmental Audit has been conducted.  There are no environmental concerns.

Recommendation:
I recommend the School Board approve a Resolution declaring the acquisition of certain real property consisting of ± .9 acres located between Highland Drive and North “A” Street, Lake Worth, Florida, as herein described, through eminent domain proceedings, which property shall be designated for the campus expansion of Highland Elementary School; a Resolution declaring structures located on the property to be acquired by the School Board to be unnecessary for educational purposes, surplus and without commercial value; and authorize the Superintendent and Chairman to sign all necessary documents.

Financial Impact:

The financial impact to the Site Acquisition Budget is not to exceed $1,200,000.

For Additional Information, contact:

             Joseph M. Moore (moorej@Mail.palmbeach.k12.fl.us)

Attachments (list):
HighlandLegalCheckList.pdf
AttachmentHighlandPurchase.pdf