The 20.5-acre parcel with about 660 feet of waterfront would cost $1.5-million. The city hopes for a grant.
By SHANNON TAN
Published May 8, 2004
LARGO - Just west of the Bayside Bridge lies 20.5 acres of green space.
Half the property is under water. Mangroves and Australian pines line the other half.
The city has sought property east of U.S. 19 to be used as a park. This land, city staffers say, could be used for recreation and coastal and mangrove restoration.
City officials hope a grant from the Florida Communities Trust Florida Forever program will help them purchase the $1.5-million property. Surveys, environmental studies and attorney fees will cost another $200,000.
Officials will know if they get the grant by September. If approved, the grant will reimburse the city an estimated $850,000.
The property is significant, given the annexations the city is making in that area, said City Manager Steven Stanton. It is about a quarter of a mile from the site of the future Datsko Park.
Pinellas County owns more than 10 acres adjacent to the property. That would give the city a chance to work with the county on a larger park or negotiate a land swap.
The property has not yet been appraised, said Assistant City Manager Henry Schubert.
But Joan Byrne, recreation, parks and arts director, said the land has about 660 feet of waterfront property.
"The property value will go up," predicted Commissioner Gay Gentry.
Resident Mike Reichold agreed.
"It is a lot of money," he said. "However, the value of green space has got to go up. We are running out of places for people to go to recreate."
Resident John Atanasio, however, urged commissioners to vote against applying for the grant.
Without a contract with the city, he said, the sellers of the property could raise their asking price after the grant is approved.
Commercial developers have contacted John Ruggles and Tony Johannesmeyer, owners of the property since 1977.
But the two feel the land is best used as a city park.
"We still want access to the property (to enjoy it)," said Johannesmeyer.
