The City of Savannah owns an approximately 1.78-acre vacant and unimproved property located at 111 Hutchinson Island Road, immediately east of the Talmadge Bridge on Hutchinson Island (PIN 20436 01022). The property has no identified City use and is not suitable for development as a critical facility due to its proximity to the bridge. An appraisal was obtained to establish fair market value, which determined the property's value to be $700,000. Staff is requesting approval to declare the property surplus and available for sale to the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA).

Concurrently, staff is requesting approval to acquire an approximately 4.3-acre portion of GPA-owned property located at 0 Hutchinson Island (PIN 20164 01002) for the development of a future public safety facility. Hutchinson Island has experienced significant growth and development in recent years, creating an increased demand for public safety services. A dedicated Police and Fire facility on the island is needed to support timely emergency response and ensure adequate public safety coverage for the growing community.

The appraised fair market value of the proposed GPA property is $1,436,808. Recognizing the mutual benefit of the proposed transactions and the City's public safety investment, GPA has offered a partnership discount of $368,404, reducing the purchase price to $1,068,404.

The sale of the City's property to GPA and the acquisition of GPA's property by the City will be structured as interdependent transactions and closed concurrently. The City's $700,000 sale proceeds will be applied toward the purchase of the GPA property, resulting in a net cash expenditure of $368,404.

Upon approval, the parties will proceed with the subdivision of the approximately 4.3-acre property from the larger parent tract. City staff will also conduct the necessary due diligence associated with the acquisition and advance conceptual planning and design for the proposed public safety facility.

Staff recommends approval to:
1. Declare the approximately 1.78-acre City-owned property located at 111 Hutchinson Island Road (PIN 20436 01022) surplus and available for sale to the Georgia Ports Authority for $700,000.

2. Authorize the acquisition of an approximately 4.3-acre portion of GPA-owned property located at 0 Hutchinson Island (PIN 20164 01002) for $1,068,404.

3. Authorize the City Manager to execute purchase and sale agreements, deed, and all other documents necessary to complete both transactions, subject to the transactions closing concurrently and being mutually contingent upon one another.

Approval