Several property issues come before commission

Historic City News reporters will be following several property issues involving the City of St. Augustine and comments by City Attorney Ron Brown when the City Commission convenes their regularly scheduled meeting Monday, December 13, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. in the Alcazar Room at City Hall.

A proposed settlement will be discussed that will include the purchase of property located at Bridge Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue that was seized and closed when its three co-owners were charged with multiple criminal offenses on November 4th.

The settlement totals more than $300,000, including a $261,169 mortgage and taxes and investigative fees.

“The settlement allows the City to obtain possession, control and ownership of the property and avoid the time and expense of litigation at both the trial level and on appeal,” Brown says. “The settlement also provides certainty and immediacy in the resolution of the litigation and allows the City to enter and begin the process of developing a meaningful use of the property.”

Also on the agenda, there will be consideration to acquiring property located at 15 Travis Place relevant to foreclosure of a code enforcement lien against the property.

There will be a Public Hearing – Second Reading – Ordinance 2010-39 to vacate, discontinue and abandon that certain portion of Bridge Street West of Riberia Street, in St. Augustine, Florida.

There will also be a Public Hearing – Second Reading – Ordinance 2010-40 to vacate, discontinue and abandon that certain portion of De Haven Street West of Riberia Street, in St. Augustine, Florida.

Photo credits: © 2010 Historic City News staff photographer