Palm Bay to discuss selling City Hall complex

The Palm Bay City Hall complex at the southeast corner of Minton and Malabar roads may go up for sale on the real estate market.

Tuesday, Palm Bay City Council members will discuss potential sale and relocation of the complex during a 6:30 p.m. workshop.

The 19-acre parcel includes about 90,000 square feet of floor space in the City Hall annex, the old City Hall building behind it, and the police station.

During a June 24 budget workshop, Deputy Mayor Harry Santiago proposed selling the complex. He said proceeds could be earmarked for road maintenance, extinguish debt on City Hall annex construction, and add money to the city's general reserves.

"It's a very nice complex. But something to keep in mind: It's a very nice complex that's in a major commercial corridor that right now is assessed by the county as $7.5 million," Santiago said.

During that workshop, Councilman Trés Holton remarked that, "all of us, I'm sure, have had independent conversations with folks out there that may be interested" in partnering with the city to build a new City Hall complex. He did not divulge further details.

Holton pointed out how the Duda family and Brevard County partnered to build the Government Center, which was considered controversial at the time.

"All you have to do is look at Viera. Look at Fran Jamieson Way there, and look at The Avenue. Look at everything that's going on up there. When you have government facilities, development follows," Holton said.

However, Mayor William Capote and Councilwoman Michele Paccione voiced skepticism. Capote said no potential site has been picked, though past talk has centered on the bayfront and the future Emerald City development area.

"We'd have to buy something. We'd have to build something. So it's going to cost money somewhere else," Paccione said.

The three-story, $4.9 million City Hall annex opened in September 2011.

Contact Neale at 321-242-3638, rneale@floridatoday.com or follow @RickNeale1 on Twitter