Title: RE3 New 04-OO Middle School and Bus Compound

Recommendation:

I recommend the School Board approve a Resolution authorizing the acquisition of certain real property consisting of 41.66 acres, more or less located on Belvedere Road, Palmdale Road and Skees Road, West Palm Beach, Florida, as herein described, through eminent domain proceedings, for the New 04-OO Middle School and Support Facilities; authorizing the Legal Department to hire an eminent domain attorney; and a Resolution Declaring Structures to be acquired by the School Board to be Unnecessary for Educational Purposes, Surplus and Without Commercial Value; and authorizing the Chairman and Superintendent to sign all necessary documents.

Description:

• The FY 2006-2010 Five Year Plan includes the construction of a New Middle School 04-OO, scheduled for opening in August 2009.

• The Support Facility study of 2004 emphasize the need for and recommends the consolidation of M&PO & Transportation to co-locate in a central location.

• The assemblage contains 52.73 acres.

• Eleven properties (4 vacant, 7 improved) 2 owners (unwilling sellers) have been identified for acquisition needed for the New 04-OO Middle School Campus, Maintenance and Plant Operations and Transportation. (See Parcel Map Exhibit A).

• Acquisition of this land is needed to successfully complete the School Facilities and meet the construction deadline.

• The Board approved the acquisition of 11.07 acres at the February 15, 2006 Board Meeting.

• Appraisals and a preliminary Phase I Environmental Audit have been completed.  The properties containing the 41.66 acres, more or less, need a Phase II Environmental Audit, Tree Survey, and wetlands assessment.

• In order to gain access and to facilitate the timely acquisition of these properties it is necessary to use the eminent domain process.

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

Financial Impact:
The financial impact to the Project’s Budget is $15,000,000.00

For Additional Information, contact:

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

Attachments (list):
RE3 04-OO Middle School Checklist.pdf
Eminent Domain RE3 Board Report 031506.pdf
RE3 04-OO Middle School Resolution.pdf
RE3 Exhibit A .pdf
RE3 Exhibit B.pdf
Q&ARE3.doc
Q&ARE3.doc