REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
November 19, 2015
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: ANDREW J. BENELLI, PE, City Engineer/Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division
BY: CRAIG L. HANSEN, Supervising Real Estate Agent
Public Works Department, Real Estate Services Section
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute a grant deed for the sale of City of Fresno owned vacant property (APN 478-163-16T), located at the intersection of E. Lorena Avenue and S. Railroad Avenue, to the State of California for the amount of $103,000. (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Council approve the sale of 31,798 square feet of vacant property located at the intersection of East Lorena Avenue and South Railroad Avenue to the State of California for the High Speed Rail project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Approximately 30 years ago, the City had considered extending Van Ness Avenue from Railroad Avenue to South Anna Avenue including a railroad grade separation. The City had acquired this parcel as part of the extension project but for various reasons the extension was never constructed. Today, the subject property is in the path of High Speed Rail and the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has offered to purchase the subject property for the appraised amount of $103,000. Staff concurs with the appraised value for the property and recommends the Council approve the sale.
BACKGROUND
The City acquired the subject property through eminent domain in 1985 for the sum of $35,000. The City had planned to extend Van Ness Avenue across the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and connect with South Anna Avenue. For various reasons, the project was abandoned and the City has retained ownership of this vacant parcel for 30 years. Based upon the adopted alignment for the High Speed Rail Project, the California High Speed Rail Autho...
Click here for full text