The mostly marshy property will have to be appraised to determine its value before a sale price is agreed upon.
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Published October 23, 2004
NEW PORT RICHEY - It might be the last large tract of undeveloped Pasco coastland, a marshy 600 acres that's home to four Indian mounds, a couple of eagles' nests and flocks of spoonbills. Bordered by retirement communities built decades ago, the Strauber Memorial property is one of west Pasco's last pieces of Old Florida.
And the state is willing to pay to keep it that way.
The state announced Friday that it will provide a Florida Communities Trust grant to help the county buy the 600 acres on the west side of Strauber Memorial Highway, south of Gulf Harbors, and 116 acres on the east side of the road.
The state and the county will each chip in up to $1.8-million, although that figure could change, depending on the appraised value of the properties and other factors, said Dan Johnson, the assistant county administrator for Public Services.
County Commissioner Ann Hildebrand, who pushed for the funding, was thrilled.
"This is wonderful because this is the last piece of coastal property to be preserved," Hildebrand said. "It will be there for people to enjoy as a passive recreational park."
That means light uses, such as picnic tables, kayak launches and walking trails - not athletic fields.
BRJM Development of Port Richey owns the 600-acre tract, which is mostly wetlands but does have the development rights for about a dozen homes. For tax purposes, Property Appraiser Mike Wells values the tract at $428,804.
On the east side of the highway, Pasco Palms, of Gainesville, owns several properties totaling 116 acres. Those properties have enough dry land for a parking lot, restrooms and other facilities for the park. Because there are also significant wetlands, however, Wells values those tracts at about $16,000.
The actual price of real estate is often more than the taxable value. Additionally, the county estimates it will cost about $500,000 to develop the park.
Although the state funding is a huge boost, the park isn't a done deal yet. The state still has to hire a couple of appraisers to put price tags on the properties. Hildebrand said both owners have indicated a willingness to sell. But the deal could fall through if both sides can't agree on a price.
Bridget Hall Grumet covers Pasco County government. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is hall@sptimes.com
