The Gellhorn Drive Paving and Drainage Project provides for right-of-way acquisition, design and construction of a four lane divided concrete roadway with storm drainage, curbs, sidewalks, driveways, street lighting, traffic control and the necessary underground utilities. The project will improve traffic circulation, mobility and drainage in the service area and upgrade the existing roadway to Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan standards.
This eminent domain proceeding involves the acquisition of fee simple title in and to a vacant parcel of land containing 0.6564 acre of land from a parent tract containing 57.511 acres. The property is owned by FPL Real Estate, Ltd., and is located at the termination of Wood Forest Boulevard and north of IH-10. Efforts by Public Works and Engineering to negotiate the purchase failed, and the matter was referred to the Legal Department to initiate eminent domain proceedings to acquire the needed property. The Legal Department filed the eminent domain case and served notice on the parties as required by law.
City’s Testimony for the Special Commissioners: $100,076.00 (i.e. $3.50 psf for the land).
Landowner’s Testimony for the Special Commissioners: $128,669.00 (i.e. $4.50 psf for the land).
Award of Special Commissioner: $114,000.00 (i.e. $3.99 psf).
Court & Misc. Costs: Special Commissioners’ fees; $1,650.00 ($550.00 x 3); Process Service; $135.00; Appraisal costs; $5,050.00; Total Court & Misc. Costs: $6,835.00.
It is recommended that the City Attorney be authorized by Motion to deposit the amount of the Award of Special Commissioners into the registry of the Court, pay the costs of Court and settle this case for the amount of the award. Funding will be provided by a previously approved blanket Appropriation Ordinance.