Irmo Council Moves Forward on 2 Properties for Proposed Town Park

Irmo Town Council unanimously approved moving forward on negotiating the best price on two properties the council is considering for the location of a new town park.

During a special meeting Friday, councilman Harvey Hoots made a motion to instruct the town's administrator and attorney to begin negotiating a price for the old Silver Fox Tennis Club property, not to exceed $500,000 and property on Eastview Drive, not exceeding $230,000. 

The motion also called for a 90-day due diligence or investigation of the property by local engineering firms with the town being able to walk away from the negotiations if the property isn't a right fit for a park.

“I’m looking for a park that would benefit the town and both of these pieces of property are available,” Hoots said. “There are pros and cons to each property but like any property there could be unknowns and that’s the purpose in our 90 days.”

The council met in executive session with the town’s attorney, Jake Moore, to receive legal counsel on each property.

Irmo Mayor Hardy King he voted for the motion because he thought it was the right thing to do to move forward on the issue.  

King said there are pros and cons to all properties but the two chosen by council were promising.

The Silver Fox property has more promise because of it’s a central location, he said. The other property because of its pricing for the amount of land.

Councilman Paul Younginer thinks the Silver Fox property is an ideal property and was in favor of pursuing the location further.

“It would make an excellent piece of property for the town to have a park,” Younginer said. “I think we should at least pursue it and see what the cost would be.”

Younginer said the location is appealing because of its central location and its proximity to Irmo Elementary School and Lake Murray Boulevard.