The Captiva Island Fire Control District’s commission received an update on the Rauschenberg property and directed staff to continue to pursue a potential purchase at its recent meeting.
On Oct. 7, Fire Chief Jeff Pawul and Commissioner Jeff Brown provided an update on their fact finding and due diligence into the possible acquisition of the property’s parcels in order to expand or improve the district’s services with a new fire station, helicopter landing zone, boat dock or more.
Brown reported that the final appraisal of the land was expected to be completed later that week, but they had the ranges for the six parcels that they are looking at so they could start evaluating them.
He continued that they have been researching three parcels on the north side and three commercial parcels on the south side of Captiva Drive. They included the commercial ones to include all options. In considering the parcels, they looked at the feasibility of a new station, with space for expanding.
Brown explained that one of the parcels is 1.5 acres and would be about $4.5 million to $5 million. However, it would really only be suited for a station. On the bayside, there is a parcel about 1 acre, but it could be combined with another for about 6.5 acres total for a cost of $17 million to $18 million.
He spoke about the Rauschenberg studio space and possibly adapting it by breaking EMS out of the current station or even using it for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies assigned to Captiva.
Looking at all of the parcels on the bayside, it would be about 9.8 acres at a cost of $27.5 million to $29 million. Brown noted a $6 million delta between one property combination or the other. The lower option would be $23 million, but the district’s operations would be located on two sides of the street.
In terms of millage rate impact, it would be 1.3 to 1.4 mills for the bayside versus about 1 mill.
“It’s not going to be cheap,” he said of any of the options.
Pawul noted that he went into the research knowing that it was not going to be cheap, but it is more expensive than he thought. He continued that acquiring all of the bayside parcels would be the cleanest option as far as having all their operations together and not split up, but it is also the most expensive.
He added that the land is gone once it is sold, unless the buyer sells off what they do not want.
“If this 10 acres sells, it’s going to be developed,” Pawul said.
They asked for the other commissioners’ appetites for the $23 million versus the $29 million option, with Brown noting that any potential purchase will require a ballot referendum and voter approval.
“There’s not going to be another chance,” Commissioner Sherrill Sims said, calling the bayside parcels “perfect” for the district’s current and future needs. “You’ve got to go for an opportunity like this.”
“The price tag’s high, but — it’s everything we need,” Commissioner Carole Campbell said.
The commission agreed to proceed with the possible acquisition of the bayside parcels to keep all of the operations together, despite it being the more expensive option, and to put it to the voters to decide.
Pawul reported that Brown and he would figure out the financials next.
“Then see if the community supports it,” he said.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The commission voted unanimously 3-0 on a resolution approving updates to the district’s administrative policies.
– Pawul reported that the district filled two of its three new positions from the recent testing held. Firefighter-EMTs Mason Kennington and Douglas Leuge were expected to start the following week.
Kennington is fresh out of firefighter-EMT school and previously worked in the field of radiology, while Leuge is a former firefighter from Kentucky who become certified in the state of Florida.
“So we look forward to those guys starting soon,” he said.
Pawul continued that the district will hold another round of testing toward the end of the year or beginning of the new year with the goal of filling the third final position that remains open.
– Pawul reported that the district responded to 22 incidents in September.
– Pawul reported that the district conducted 23 fire inspections in September.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email