The city of Zephyrhills could get another chance to own Hercules Park.
A deal between the Pasco County School District and Gh&G Florida LLC remains under negotiation, but it isn’t clear a final deal can be struck.
To put the city of Zephyrhills in the posture of being able to purchase the park, the Zephyrhills City Council, on Dec. 14, voted 3 to 2 to renew the city’s offer to buy the park for $1.7 million.
City council members Charles Proctor and Lance Smith voted against the proposal.
City officials sent a letter of intent on the offer to the school board.
(File Photo)
“Our contract is kind of a backup contract,” said Steve Spina, Zephyrhills’ city manager. “We’re in a different ball game. If they can’t (close the deal), we’ll step up to the plate.”
Spina said he believes the developers are having a hard time making their financial plan work.
Representatives with the development company approached city officials in October about a possible private/public partnership.
Spina said the offer was declined.
The city lost out in June when its bid came in lower than the $2.3 million offered by Gh&G Florida LLC. The school board voted to begin negotiations with the development company with expectations that 10 acres to 11 acres of parkland would be donated to Zephyrhills. The park site has a fitness trail, children’s playground and an aquatic center.
At one time, the parkland was part of about 80 acres owned by Hercules Powder Co., formerly the largest employer in Zephyrhills. The company converted pine stumps into rosin and turpentine. The property later became sites for the park, Zephyrhills High School and Woodland Elementary School.
The county shut down the park nearly five years ago citing budget issues. A prior agreement between the county and the school district required that the land be used for a park or be returned to the school district.
Gh&G Florida is about three months into a six-month contract to purchase the site.
“Until they withdraw their contract, I have to deal with them,” said Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools.
But, he added, “We would not sell the property unconditionally to Zephyrhills for $1.7 million.”
Sticking points could be the potential sale of a portion of the site for commercial use.
Spina said the city remains interested in reviving the 15.5-acre park, but also would like to sell about two acres along U.S. 301, just south of a corner lot.
City officials have said the intent would be for those two acres to be developed for a purpose compatible with the park.
But, Gadd said that would have to be negotiated if the original contract with Gh&G Florida doesn’t work out.
Published December 23, 2015
