COMMISSIONERS DISCUSS VARIOUS POSSIBLE REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS WITH THE CITY OF KEY WEST

KEY WEST, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners discussed various possible real estate transactions with the City of Key West. County properties discussed included Bayshore Manor and Higgs Beach Park. City properties discussed were the diesel plant at Truman Waterfront and the HAWK missile site near the airport.

DIESEL PLANT FOR SENIOR CENTER

After researching the feasibility of the County to create a senior center at the diesel plant at Truman Waterfront, the County found the cost to repurpose the facility estimated to exceed $12 million. Assistant County Administrator Kevin Wilson recommended finding a smaller area in a more easily accessible location for less money the County could utilize. The commissioners agreed that the diesel plant is not the right place for a senior or community center. Staff will research other areas for a facility.

BAYSHORE MANOR FOR TEMPORARY KOTS LOCATION OR SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS

Bayshore Manor on Stock Island was discussed as a temporary Keys Overnight Temporary Shelter (KOTS) location for Key West homeless or as a new home for the Supervisor of Elections offices. The current KOTS location at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is in the design phase to be rebuilt into a permanent facility, but a temporary location is needed during demolition and construction.

Presently, Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Joyce Griffin uses Bayshore Manor to house her voting election equipment. The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners are responsible for the constitutional officer’s buildings, including the Supervisor of Elections. Griffin said that she has outgrown the offices on Whitehead Street in Key West and wants to move her entire office to Bayshore Manor for more space closer to the population centers she is trying to reach for early voting. The commissioners agreed it would be a better place for the elections office. Once the elections office moves to Bayshore Manor, the Monroe County Attorney’s office will likely move into the Whitehead Street location and will no longer have to rent space.

The commissioners and staff agreed to work together with the City of Key West to find an alternative solution for the temporary KOTS location.

HIGGS BEACH & HAWK MISSILE SITE

The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners agreed to move forward with discussing trading the Monroe County-owned Higgs Beach in Key West for the City of Key West-owned HAWK missile site near Key West airport. The airport needs the HAWK missile site to perform mitigation airport renovations that would include open space.

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