The county's bid to purchase Southern Manatee Fire District's Station 1 was successful and pending final approval by the county commission, the sale will be complete.
The county's sealed bid of $260,000 will buy them room to eventually expand their Emergency Medical Services and logistics operations at 1640 60th Ave. Drive E., in the Tallevast area.
Southern Manatee is nearing completion of its new Station 1 approximately one block away. Its administrative offices, also housed at the station, will remain at the old building for another 8 to 10 months, according to Southern Manatee Chief J.R. Thayer, while their new headquarters in the Parkland Center is completed.
Terms of the contract provide that the cost of utilities and building maintenance will be split between the county and Southern Manatee until administration has completely vacated the premises, Thayer said, but the district will not have to pay rent.
An appraiser hired by the county valued the property at $420,000, but the parcel has been on the market for more than a year. The property has been difficult to sell, said District Chief Tom Hennessy, because of its unique layout, which includes office space as well as truck bays; previous flooding problems, since fixed by the expansion and dredging of Bowlee's Creek; and the potential need to have space available for administration for months after the sale.
As Southern Manatee moves out, EMS will begin expanding its operations in the new building, according to Karen Windon, the county's public safety director.
The county has authorized the purchase and staffing of another ambulance for the county, which EMS Chief Mark Edenfield has said he would also consider running out of the location in addition to EMS Medic Unit 13. The final determination of its placement will likely be made based on computerized call load reports, he said.
Southern Manatee officials and Windon hope to see the final execution of the sale on county commission's Sept. 28 agenda.
