City purchases storm-damaged home to expand park

After five years of discussions and fruitless negotiations, the City of St. Petersburg will purchase a private residence to expand a multi-use park.

City council members unanimously approved acquiring the property at a storm-induced discount Thursday. Officials will demolish the existing home at 780 58th Ave. NE to facilitate the Puryear Park Expansion Project.

The popular municipal park abuts St. Petersburg’s Edgemoor and Placido Bayou neighborhoods. Hurricanes Helene and Milton convinced a once-unwilling seller to part with the home for about $70,000 less than initially planned.

“It’s good for the neighborhood,” said Councilmember Mike Harting. “It’s good for the city, and I think it makes this particular park more accessible and a better asset.”

Getting to that point had more twists than the mile-long, looping trail around Puryear Park.

An overhead view of Puryear Park and the residence. Image: City documents.

Former City Council member Ed Montanari first broached the idea of purchasing the home in March 2020. The city, following committee approvals, began negotiating with the property owner.

Officials paid for two appraisals, which provided an average valuation of $236,000. Discussions continued for several months, and the number increased to nearly $300,000.

The park, home to the St. Pete Raiders youth soccer team, features playgrounds and rentable shelters. However, it also boasts a sports complex with two lighted soccer fields, three lighted multipurpose fields, a concession stand, covered bleachers, six tennis courts, racquetball courts, a jai alai court, a multipurpose training facility and restrooms.

In January, Mike Jefferis, community enrichment administrator, told council members that the property owner had “wanted to sell.” He met with area stakeholders, and “everybody was very interested” in the project.

“We have a significant parking issue out at Puryear Park, and our plan was both short-term and long-term,” Jefferis said. “Our short-term plan was to remove the home and use that parcel for overflow parking, which would take some of the pressure off Edgemoor Park, just north of Puryear Park.

“We were ready to purchase that property, and the resident backed out at the last minute.”

The home, built in 1973, belonged to an elderly lady who “was uncomfortable with moving.” Jefferis said the city sympathized with her position.

A devastating hurricane season impacted the homeowner and Puryear Park. Its storm-damaged playground was one of 11 citywide that remained closed months after Milton.

The hurricanes also inundated the home. Jefferis said the resident’s family was suddenly “very interested” in selling the property and contacted the city.

“The appraisal is unique because it’s a flooded property,” he added. “So, we’re making sure we have good data to bring forward to the council.”

An independent appraiser pegged the “as-is” value of the home and land at $240,000. The parcel alone is worth $225,000, a reality many neighboring residents now face.

The Puryear Park trail cuts through a heavily wooded area. Photo: Google.

Council members unanimously approved allocating $300,000 for the acquisition in February. They subsequently agreed to purchase the property for $225,000 and cover up to $75,000 in environmental audits, asbestos abatement, demolition and closing costs.

Thursday marked the second time in three months that St. Petersburg has purchased private property to expand its nationally renowned green spaces. In January, the council approved purchasing three adjoining parcels fronting 4th Street, 18th Avenue and 17th Avenue South for $2.9 million.

The vacant land along Salt Creek will extend Bartlett Park and house a pump station and stormwater conveyance system. Money for both projects stems from the Weeki Wachee Fund, a trust established in 2021 when the city sold a 440-acre recreation area in Hernando County to the Southwest Florida Water Management District for $15.9 million.

“This is awesome,” Harting said Thursday. “This is an expansion of the park system.”