Ocala City Council members approved the purchase of a 10-acre property that is just north of the Mary Sue Rich Community Center this week, with the goal of using the site to revitalize west Ocala.
The purchase was approved during the council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, December 2.
Located along NW 21st Street, near the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park, the 10.49-acre parcel is situated just north of the Mary Sue Rich Community Center. It is being sold by Ocala Cleat Company, who contacted the city to gauge its interest in the property.
The city owns both adjacent parcels to the west and south, of the property. The adjacent south parcel is the home of the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place.
According to city staff, the EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant was used to prepare a mitigation and redevelopment master plan for the area surrounding Reed Place. As part of the redevelopment master plan, the subject property was identified as a potential redevelopment site.
An appraisal of the property estimated its market value at approximately $1,240,000. Ocala Cleat Company has agreed to a purchase price of $807,000.
The appraisal and master plan also recognized existing environmental challenges with the property, including potential groundwater and soil contamination stemming from the former operation of the Royal Oak Charcoal Plant and the old Pine Oaks Golf Course, the latter of which has since been converted to the Aurora St. Leon Apartments in August 2023.
City staff says the acquisition of the site aligns with recommendations from the West Ocala Vision and Community Plan, which aims to create the Pine Oak Square Main Street Mixed Use District. They believe the purchase will accelerate the redevelopment of the parcel in a manner consistent with the West Ocala Community Redevelopment Plan.
The average value per acre in the West Ocala CRA is estimated at $345,000, contrasting with the subject property’s value of $120,000 per acre. The city has previously indicated that it sees the discrepancy in value as an opportunity to improve the site. Staff also believes acquisition is crucial to the broader Reed Place Master Plan, which focuses on sustainable land use, housing, connectivity, and public health.
After that the city has completed the acquisition, it will own approximately 57 percent of the entire block.
City records show that the seller has requested that the closing date be on or before December 31, 2025. Staff has commenced preliminary due diligence pertaining to the acquisition due to the short timeframe for closing.