Fairhope Farmland Bought for $2.65 Million Leased After Council Declares It Temporary Surplus
Fairhope is leasing 105 acres of farmland it bought for $2.65 million in December, as the city prepares to host its State of the City Expo.
FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Fairhope farmland the city bought for $2.65 million in December is being leased for $9,000 a year after the City Council declared it temporarily surplus.
The City of Fairhope will hold its State of the City Expo at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Fairhope Civic Center, giving residents a chance to meet city employees and learn about city departments. The city employs about 300 people, from office staff to public works crews.
Farmland purchase
The event comes as questions have been raised about the city’s recent purchase of 105 acres of farmland.
The City Council ordered an appraisal of the property, dated June 28, 2019. In December, the city paid $2.65 million for the land. The purchase had not been allocated or budgeted for recreation land.
The council had rejected another site for the project, which had been the first choice of the State Park Board, city staff and the mayor.
Temporary surplus and lease
In January 2020, the council considered an ordinance declaring the 105 farmable acres temporarily surplus and not needed for public or municipal purposes. The ordinance responded to an offer to lease the property each year from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, for one year with four one-year renewal options. The lease is $9,000 a year.
Other city properties
The city previously bought the K-1 Center and the Nix building for more than $5 million. The K-1 Center needs roof repairs, and the main City Hall also needs a new roof.
