The co-location of these facilities will reduce planning, engineering and development costs. This is also seen as a more comprehensive approach to locating City facilities. In fact, there may be additional land area for other City uses. The City has initiated and completed the annexation and rezoning of the property. The Planned Unit Development approval specifically allows for the site to be used for a fire station, outdoor storage and other ancillary City uses.
Staff is now in the process of obtaining final site plan approvals to develop the site.
The PUD application process consumed the majority of the due diligence period provided for in the purchase contract. The property owners, through their representative, Jack Buford, would not agree to a contract extension without additional monetary compensation. The owners did agree to a contract extension through April 18 th to allow staff to advise the Commission of the process and request permission to proceed with closing rather than incur additional costs. Representatives from the Fire Department, Streets and Drainage Division and the Legal Department, have discussed the contract extension and the cost to extend the contract. Staff recommends proceeding with closing as soon as possible in order to obtain the property at the lowest possible price.