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Barker (Harris), Courtney
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TAB 4
Hometown News (Fort Pierce, FL)
November 23, 2007
Council votes to consider land purchase
By Darrell Johnson
TITUSVILLE - The dream of preserving 94 acres of wooded land northwest of Interstate 95 and
Garden Street is flickering, but it's not dead yet.
The Titusville City Council voted Nov. 13 to continue pursuing options to purchase the land,
which is a primary recharge area for the city's water supply.
Arlynn Baker and Lisa Smith, who both live adjacent to the property, began researching the site
more than a year ago after plans for construction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter on the property fell
through.
Ms. Smith said they hope the land can become a low-impact park with a resource center, natural
trails and wildlife viewing spots.
Gopher tortoises, rare birds and eastern indigo and Florida pine snakes make their homes on the
property.
Falcon Development of Boca Raton, which owns the land, has proposed plans to build an
apartment complex and a single-family home subdivision.
Falcon president John Evasius said the company would be willing to sell the acreage for $10
million, but the company would continue with its development plans until an offer is on the
table.
Once construction starts, the deal is off.
Ms. Baker and Ms. Smith have devoted their time to finding funding sources for the purchase,
but the most promising grants require matching funds, said city planner Courtney Harris.
If the land is purchased for $10 million, Titusville would have to come up with $5 million to pay
its share.
"We met with the (county's Environmentally Endangered Lands program officers), and they
indicated the property does not meet its criteria for funding," Ms. Harris said.
The organization offered to help find funds for the project but could only offer "a couple hundred
thousand dollars" in cash, she said.
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