To

Mayor and Council

Subject

Purchase of Greenspace Property from Development Authority

Initiator

Engineering Department

Recommendation

Authorize the purchase of 100 +/- acres of land for greenspace program from the \n \n Development Authority of Columbus.

Approval

Approved

Background

The Columbus Greenspace program, funded by grants from the state Department of

Natural Resources, has been charged with the responsibility of setting aside at

least 20 percent of Muscogee County for greenspace preservation. Meeting this

goal over an extended period of time, will require donation, voluntary use of

conservation easements, and actual purchase of property by the city using these

grant funds. At present the city has identified and obtained 1,547.375 total

acres of the total 18,133.29 it needs to meet its goal. In order to help meet

this goal, the Development Authority of Columbus has available lands that are

not readily suitable for industrial development at its site on the Fall Line

Freeway. Approximately 100 +/- acres would be made available for the

greenspace program.

Analysis

The industrial site owned by the Development Authority has been proposed for

development as a technology park, with a campus type environment. An initial

review of the site has found that portions of the property are not readily

suitable for industrial development and that they may better serve as use for

buffering or greenspace areas. Preservation of these properties for greenspace

would promote the technology park's need for buffers and greenspace, while

affording adjoining property the security, screening and protection from any

potential negative impacts from the development site. Once it is purchased by

the city, the property will be utilized for passive recreation activities for

the general public.

Financial Considerations

Since 2001, the state has provided grant funds for the greenspace program. For

fiscal year 2001 the city received $590,557 in funds and has spent $327,320

towards land purchases and related costs. The remaining funds for fiscal year

2001 ($263,237) must be spent or committed by June of this year. Additional

funding has also been received for fiscal years 2002 ($32,807) and 2003

($499,827). The total amount available in the Greenspace Fund is $832,659

which includes $36,788 in interest earnings. An additional amount of

approximately $480,000 has been proposed for fiscal year 2004. Under the

city's greenspace program, all properties to be considered for purchase must

have an appraisal performed. Purchase price is limited to two-thirds of the

fair market value, with the other one-third to be considered as a donation to

the program. This provision would be adhered to prior to the purchase of the

property.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement

Legal Considerations

An appraisal and all title work would have to be performed before the actual

purchase would take place. Provisions in the deed would also have to state

that the property is to be placed in a perpetual conservation easement for use

as public greenspace property.

Recommendations/ Actions

Authorize the purchase of 100 +/- acres of land for Greenspace Program from the

Development Authority of Columbus. Prior to the purchase of this property all

provisions of the greenspace program will be applied, including all appraisal

work and the required limitations purchase price to two-thirds of the fair

market value. Staff will perform the necessary review and actions needed to

purchase this property for public greenspace needs. The purchase will count

towards meeting the city's overall goal as required by the state.

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