Agenda Item Name:
Title
Fellowship Church Update
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Presenter:
Claudia Tuck 352-264-6704
Description:
Discussion of need, potential uses, and current status of the possible acquisition of the existing Fellowship Baptist Church in High Springs
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Discuss the possible acquisition of the existing Fellowship Baptist Church in High Springs.
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Prior Board Motions:
3/2/21 Board Meeting - item 21-0187 was discussed.
Discussion of purchase of Fellowship Baptist Church in High Springs 21-0187 Fiscal Consideration: Asking price for the church and surrounding 9 acres: $3,300,000. Possible sources can be General Fund, Solid Waste and Wild Spaces & Public Places depending on the final uses determined for the site.
Commissioner Wheeler moved to authorize staff to proceed with the 90 day option contract for the Fellowship Baptist Church as a potential location for County/City/Community offices and facilities. Engage the elected city officials of Alachua, High Springs, and Newberry/City Managers on what level of involvement they would have in the endeavor.
The board approved a budget amendment to pull $104,100 from the General Fund Reserves
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
Asking price for the church and surrounding 9 acres: $3,300,000.
Possible funding sources can be General Fund, Solid Waste and Wild Spaces & Public Places depending on the final uses determined for the site.
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Background:
The Fellowship Baptist Church is located at 16916 NW US Highway 441, High Springs, FL 32643, within the High Springs city limits. It consists of approximately 35,000 square feet of improved space on 20.38 acres, of which approximately 9 acres will be conveyed with the church structures. The exact description of the 9 acres to be conveyed with the church is not yet available.
The improved space includes three buildings and consists of approximately 25,000 square feet which could be converted to office/multi-use space and approximately 10,000 square feet of gymnasium with a commercial kitchen.
The church property is zoned R-1. It is connected to public water and sewer. The buildings were built in 1991 and are currently vacant.
Alachua County would use this property as the Northwest Alachua County Resource Center. There are a number of uses by County departments and outside organizations that could share in the use of the property.
These include:
Annex Offices for Constitutional Officers
County Meeting Rooms and Classrooms
Recreational Facilities with Gymnasium
County Social Services
County Veterans’ Services
Solid Waste-Rural Collection Center
Health and Human Service Agencies
Health Department Annex and Clinic
Behavioral Health Services
Department of Children and Families
Domestic Violence Assistance Providers
Food Pantry and Distribution Center
After School Programming
Computer Lab
Community Meeting Rooms
Community Outreach Programs