Fairhope, Alabama
PRIVATE PARTY PROPOSES PURCHASE?
The Times has removed our previous post after questions arose about who sent an intent to purchase letter to the Baldwin School Board, that was the subject of an executive session during their Tuesday work session.
After a discussion with School Board President Christenberry during the meeting, we assumed it was from the Fairhope city council since negotiations have been underway for a while, but other sources are now saying it may have been from a developer looking to build condos or a mixed-use retail project there.
Executive sessions exclude the public and media from deliberations; normal open meeting law requirements do not apply.
(Ownership records of a small portion on the west side still needed to be worked out, Christenberry said.)
Publisher's note: Discussions about this are mostly being held in private ... so information is scarce at this point. If we find out more details we will post them.
PRIVATE PARTY PROPOSES PURCHASE?
The Times has removed our previous post after questions arose about who sent an intent to purchase letter to the Baldwin School Board, that was the subject of an executive session during their Tuesday work session.
After a discussion with School Board President Christenberry during the meeting, we assumed it was from the Fairhope city council since negotiations have been underway for a while, but other sources are now saying it may have been from a developer looking to build condos or a mixed-use retail project there.
Executive sessions exclude the public and media from deliberations; normal open meeting law requirements do not apply.
(Ownership records of a small portion on the west side still needed to be worked out, Christenberry said.)
Publisher's note: Discussions about this are mostly being held in private ... so information is scarce at this point. If we find out more details we will post them.
Comments
It has become an eyesore right in the middle of town.
We attended the Tuesday School Board work session seeking information about another matter; but learned from president Christenberry that an executive session was scheduled to discus a 'letter of intent' from someone to purchase the K-1 property.
Since he was giving us an update on the city's negotiations for it at the time, we assumed the letter was from the Fairhope city council; but learned later from another source it likely was for a private developer's mixed use retail proposal.
Council president Burrell has been negotiating purchasing the property for the city for several months... but had been told various "title issues" have not yet been settled.
Burrell points out heavy city supplements to schools -- about $1.1 million of "in-kind" services annually (mostly for recreation/sports support) ought to be factored in to a purchase price .. rather than it going to the "highest bidder" as is usually the case.
Last we heard the property had been appraised for $4.1 million.
A majority of the members of School Board will have to approve the sale, as will a majority of the city council to purchase it.
Not sure which Fairhope you live in, people moving into area from all over. Real estate SALES is booming.