DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 7
SUBJECT:
Acquisition of property at 224 West Quill Drive
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the acquisition of a 3.3 acre tract of land located at 224 West Quill Drive in the amount of $300,000.00 from the FY 2019 Adopted Capital Budget. The property will be utilized as a future neighborhood park in Council District 7.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The proposed property acquisition will be utilized for the future development of West Quill Park as a neighborhood park in Council District 7. This acquisition is consistent with the policies outlined in the SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan which recommends increasing the number and quality of parks to ensure a more equitable distribution of parks and recreation opportunities.
Discussions began with the property owner, District 7 Council Office and the Parks and Recreation Department during the summer of 2018. The Parks and Recreation Department has worked closely with the property owner and Council Office to address the desire for additional park land in the community.
This property is pedestrian accessible along West Quill Drive and will provide an opportunity to add public parkland in an underserved area. The nearest neighborhood park is not accessible by foot to the residents of the Woodlawn Hills neighborhood. The property will be acquired and developed for a total amount of $500,000.00 funded in the FY 2019 Adopted Capital Budget. The acquisition cost of the property is $302,937.50 including estimated closing costs. The remaining funds of $197,062.50 will be used for Park improvements. The Woodlawn Hills Neighborhood Association supports the acquisition of this property for a neighborhood park.
ISSUE:
The proposed property acquisition will provide additional recreational opportunities for park users in the future. This acquisition is consistent with the policies of the SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan which recommend increasing the number and quality of parks to ensure a more equitable distribution of parks and recreation opportunities.
ALTERNATIVES:
The property is located within the Woodlawn Hills neighborhood, thus it is pedestrian accessible. Should this land acquisition not be approved, the opportunity to provide a pedestrian accessible park facility would not be achieved.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding in the amount of $302,937.50 for the acquisition of this property which includes the estimated closing costs of $2,937.50 is available from Certificate of Obligations and Tax Notes approved in the FY 2019 Capital Improvement Budget. Future associated expenses for operations, maintenance, and security will be addressed upon project development, implementation, and completion.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the acquisition of a 3.3 acre tract of land located at 224 West Quill Drive. The Planning Commission has recommended approval of this proposed land acquisition.