***This Email is Being Blind Copied to All Commissioners***

 

In addition to my previous email (below), the GMP as approved with Scorpio includes the installation of a Fire Station Warning Beacon along CR 235A in both directions.

 

To All,

 

During yesterday's Board of County Commissioners meeting, there were questions regarding the location of the new Fire Station 21 .

 

• Cost of the Land
• On June 5, 2022, the County received an opinion of market value of the fee simple title (attached) of the approximately 2-acre parcel.  As per Ms. Laura L. Rutan, State-Certified General Real Estate Appraiser RZ3706, her opinion of market value of the subject property was $305,000.
• On August 4, 2022, the County purchased the land for $45,000.00 from Tomoka Hills Farms, Inc.  Said price was 85.25% lower than the appraised value.
• The appraisal was based upon a zoning of RMF-8 since the seller was required to rezone the property to that designation as condition of the county’s closing (which they did prior to closing).

 

• Road Improvements
• The safety of the traveling public and the users of Fire Station 21 is of paramount importance. 
• Included in the Construction Contract with Scorpio is the construction of a northbound right turn lane into the Fire Station 21 on CR 235A.  The 85^th Percentile on this section of CR 235A was observed to be 50 mph.  Since the location is within 1,000 feet of US 441 intersection, most drivers are reducing speeds in their approach to the intersection.
• Public Works Staff worked with the Developer of the proposed Wawa Station on the west side of CR 235 A.  V3 Capital ‘s representatives worked with the County and as part of the development approval and Alachua County’s Construction Permit the Developer has included the widening of CR 235A to the west to include a left turn lane from NB CR235A unto US 441 and, a dual left turn lane south of the entrance to the gas station to the southerly driveway of Fire Station 21.   The construction of the dual left turn lane is a considerable savings for the County.
• Public Works Staff has been working with Mr. Sean H. Mclendon, CPM, Economic Development & Food Systems Manager, regarding Alachua County’s Job Grant Application.  Said grant application would be “tied” to the proposed future development of a distribution center.  The amount requested is approximately $12 million dollars and would include milling and resurfacing of the travel way from CR 235 to US 441 and the construction of several turning lanes along said distance. 
• Staff is always looking at alternative funding sources to improve safety and operations to the road system.

 

• Water and Sewer Lines
• Another successful discussion with representatives from V3 Capital included their agreement to extend the City’s sewer and water mains to near their southerly limit.  These water and sewer lines extension by V3 Capital will now result in considerable savings to the County since the Fire Station will now connect to the new lines in lieu of connecting over 1,000 feet from the site.

 

• Transportation Capital Improvement Program
• Although the section CR 235A from US 441 south to CR 235 is not included in the adopted Transportation Capital Improvement Plan, the following section are included:

 

PMP Road No.	Project Description	From	-	To	Treatment	Construction Year	Estimated Cost
647981	NW CR 235A	US 441	-	NW 190 Ave	SE - Reconstruction-FDR	2028	$               6,564,884
647982	NW CR 235A	NW 190 Ave	-	NW CR 236	SE - Reconstruction-FDR	2028	$             10,860,827

 

 

If you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact me.

 

 

	Ramon D. Gavarrete, PE Public Works Director/County Engineer Public Works 5620 NW 120th Lane • Gainesville • Florida • 32653 352-548-1214 (office) • (863) 381-6875 (mobile) • (352) 337-6243 (fax)
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