BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Starke is interested in purchasing property downtown, but the reason remains mystery.
Even a specially called meeting on Oct. 12 resulted in more questions than answers.
Notably, the meeting to brief city commissioners on the process for acquiring land took place after a request for proposals had been advertised.
Attorney Clay Martin explained that the commission’s policy calls for the commission to seek proposals instead of bids to consider factors other than price in making a purchase.
In this case the city wants land within a one and a half block area bordered on the north and south by Call Street and Madison Street and on the east and west by Church Street and the railroad crossing.
Properties in that area are owned by the John D. Jarmon Revocable Trust, Bible Baptist Church, Victory Chapel and Health Safe Services.
The advertisement does not specify how many properties the city would consider purchasing, or for what purpose. Per the RFP solicitation packet, the ideal property offers access to both Call and Madison streets, and a minimum total area of 17,000 square feet.
This description and brief comments by commissioners singled out the Jarmon property, a former retail store. Martin said the preferences are not requirements, however, and multiple owners are encouraged to work together to submit joint proposals.
RFP submission documents have been drafted for owners interested in selling and are available at city hall. The deadline is Oct. 26.
The proximity of the parcels to the Downtown Square give a clue to the city’s intentions, as does the agenda for the special meeting, which called for strategic planning for the Citywalk project, which is a vision for revitalizing the area.
There was no talk of strategic planning during the brief meeting, however. Mayor Scott Roberts did say there have been a number of meetings about the project and its various “moving parts.”
“One is the acquisition of property, if that comes up,” he said.
What role the property would play — from the expansion of the Downtown Square to the addition of parking or new amenities — was left to the imagination.
When Commissioner Andy Redding inquired about the use for the land, Roberts said, “We’ll decide that. That’s up for discussion.”
The commission approved the RFP post advertisement, 4-0, with Commissioner Janice Mortimer absent.
The commission will hold a special meeting on Oct. 31 at 5:30 p.m. to consider staff recommendations regarding any proposals received.
The commission did not discuss alternatives if no proposals were submitted.
