The City Should not Sell the Nursing Home Property

The City Of Tarpon Springs is looking at the possibility of selling the closed nursing home property it owns near the Fire and Police administration building and the Walton Recreation Center.  The City should not sell that property, just because someone wants to buy it.  It should be held for the future growth of the City government offices.  It is on a major bus route, it is convenient for staff to go to other city offices and it is more centrally located than the current city hall. Above all else the current City Clerk's office has leaks and a mold issue and there are towels and sometimes buckets around the office where official government documents are archived.  The main city hall needs repointed and on the east side of the building on the second floor there are usually towels to absorb the moisture coming through the windows and walls.  This building has had a lead and asbestos abatement but if the walls are leaking what does that do to the safety of what materials are within those walls?

I suggest that the nursing home land should be set aside for future use for City offices and that the wonderful auditorium at city hall be used for the Arts as it is now,  with the offices eventually being used for the arts as well.  We need to look to the future,  the City is in strong financial condition according to the Finance Director and the City reserves have actually increased to over $10.5+ million.  The City was not seeking to sell the land before the request from a potential buyer. Yes it would generate tax dollars but itis just a matter of time before we need a new City Hall and City offices that are secure and more centrally located.

Email the Commissioners and tell them your opinion on this issue.

Timothy Keffalas

Candidate for Tarpon Springs City Commissioner, Seat 4.