HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8235 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8235
March 7, 2000
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE ADVERTISEMENT FOR SALE OF
f*13 PROPERTY IN LAKE WORTH KNOWN AS THE CASTLE AND COTTAGES TO
MARCH 9, 2000
On February 22, 2000, Staff presented a recommended strategy to the City Council to market and sell City
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owned property at Lake Worth known as the Castle and Cottages. The urgency in Staff's recommendation
focused upon the rapidly deteriorating state of these two City assets and the repeated occurrences of
vandalism, theft and gang activities. Based upon the support of the City Council Staff immediately began
implementing the sales process for those properties.
On February 29" a fire of suspicious origin occurred at the Castle. The Fire Department investigated the
fire and has reported that the fire appeared to have been intentionally set. Serious damage was contained to
one upper story bedroom and the staircase leading to the second story. The exterior of the building was not
damaged. Although the actual dollar value of the damages have not been determined, Staff estimates that at
least $50,000 in fire, smoke and water damages have occurred to the property. Since the fire, the City's
Marshals office has continued to make daily arrests on the premises.
fo, ensure public safety, properly secure and ensure that the structures are not subject to further acts of
vandalism or arson, the Department of Engineering has requested that the City Marshal's Office dedicate an
officer to patrol the property around the clock. Normal patrolling will resume after the property has been
totally secured and the property has been sold by sealed bid sale.
The Zoning Commission will meet on March 8 1h to consider rezoning the Castle property from "E"
Neighborhood Commercial to "PDSU" Planned Development Specific Use for all uses in "E" with the
specific exclusions previously presented to Council. The recommendation of the Zoning Commission will
be forwarded to the City Council for approval on March 21, 2000.
The original sale timeline proposed by Staff included delaying of the sale advertisement until after City
Council approval of the recommended zoning change. However, based on the ongoing occurrences of
vandalism and the likelihood of further incidents staff recommends that the properties be advertised
beginning March 9". The bid documents will include a disclaimer that new zoning will be recommended
by Zoning Commission and forwarded to the City Council for approval. The proposed bid opening for the
properties will not occur until after the Council approves the final zoning.
Bob Terrell
rr ".'ity Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS