Largo Looks Into Buying Land For Future Trailhead

The Largo City Commission agreed last week to look into purchasing a parcel of land to use as a future trailhead for the planned Progress Energy Trail extension.

The 1.4-acre property, which is owned by the Walker Ford Co., is located at 2850 Roosevelt Blvd., just east of the U.S. 19 overpass.

Assistant City Manager Mike Staffopoulos informed the commission during the April 16 meeting that the property has been on the market for more than a year, and the asking price has recently been reduced to $349,500. 

“Staff feels that this would be an ideal local for a future trailhead, and we seek authorization to begin negotiations,” Staffopoulos said.

Despite receiving unanimous approval, some commissioners expressed reservations about the potential purchase.

Commissioner Harriet Crozier suggested moving the matter back because it is not budgeted for 2013 and would require an amendment to the budget to utilize the parkland funds necessary to purchase the land.

Staffopoulos said delaying the process is a possibility, but it depends on how quickly the property owner wants to sell the parcel.

Commissioner Michael Smith wondered what else could be done with the property, which currently houses two structures, other than the trailhead.

“If we do purchase it, there’s already buildings on there, what else do we plan on doing with the rest of this land?” he asked. “It’s a very big piece of land just for a trailhead.” 

The assistant city manager said the city could find uses for the structures, such as storage of materials, but everything is at the preliminary stages at this point. 

“Any time we put together a purchase and sales agreement, we always leave ourselves with a ‘due diligence’ period,” Staffopoulos said. 

“That is an opportunity for us to take look at the title to make sure it’s clean ... to make sure we are aware any easements or associations with the property, and ... to take a look at the potential for any environmental concerns that might be associated with the property.”

The commission then voted to proceed with negotiations to potentially purchase the property by a vote of 4-0. Mayor Pat Gerard and Commissioners Robert Murray and Woody Brown were not present at the meeting.

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