Sporting golden shovels and the very image of synergy and goodwill, Pat Neal and officials of Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District put an end to years of negotiations and the recent threats of lawsuits between the two.
At a combination press conference and ceremonial ground-breaking Wednesday morning, Neal handed over ownership of the pie-shaped piece of property on Honore Avenue to Southern Manatee for its new Station 5.
The district has been working with the developer on and off for more than three years to reach an agreement to obtain the .78-acre chunk of land, located 1¼ miles north of University Parkway.
The property is situated between two of Neal's developments - University Park and University Place.
"We've crafted, what I believe, is a perfect agreement, and we are all happy," Neal said, looking to Chief Tom Hennessy for affirmation.
"Yes," Hennessy replied.
The district paid Neal $140,000 for the land, and Neal paid the district roughly $217,000 for the developer's share of impact fees, or roughly 23 percent of the cost of the truck, station and property. The developer also agreed to pay impact fees due on the balance of 86 unimproved lots at the end of four years.
In addition, the district promised a siren protocol that will have firefighters use sirens during night hours only if there are vehicles on the road in front of them. An 8-foot masonry wall will be constructed between the station and University Place, and University Park's Wentworth subdivision, directly across Honore Road from the station, will be given $10,000 to use for noise mitigation, such as beefing up their berm.
The impact fees became a bone of contention when Southern Manatee began its friendly condemnation of the property. The condemnation was in response to Neal's refusal to sell to the district. He chose instead to back three University Place residents who complained that the station's location would adversely affect their property values.
Neal also questioned the methodology used to figure his share of the cost of the station.
But at the press conference, Neal praised his working relationship with both Hennessy and the district, and characterized the reconciliation as "an honest negotiation by two people who were dedicated to what they were doing."
Both sides acknowledged the work each had done in getting the deal finished.
"It took a long time to get everything done," said Southern Manatee District Commissioner Brad Ranney, "but the bottom line is it's a great day for everyone here - the communities and fire personnel."
The Honore location will put the fire department within two air miles of 99.5 percent of all the district's residents, and should help reduce response times for all residents living in the Southern Manatee district.
The new station will replace the district's five-year rented "temporary" location in University Center, formerly the Sarasota Outlet Mall.
The truck is housed outdoors in the parking lot.
Hennessy said he met with the county and secured assurances that the project will be fast-tracked, which drew some skeptical laughter from the audience.
The estimated start date for the $1.2 million-plus, two-bay building is some 60 to 90 days off, Hennessy said, and the actual construction should take eight to 10 months.