Commissioners authorize negotiations for purchase of airport flight-school buildings; appraisal cited at $8–10M

St. Lucie County commissioners on July 22 authorized staff to negotiate for purchase of buildings used by a flight school at Treasure Coast International Airport and to pursue terms that would preserve the county’s options, including a condition that staff not spend acquisition or due-diligence funds without returning to the board.
The buildings in question sit on airport land owned by the county. The county’s presentation said appraisals put the current “as-is” value in the $8 million to $10 million range. Commissioners debated urgency, due diligence and lease issues: proponents said the property is for sale and multiple buyers are interested; opponents raised concerns about long existing subleases to the flight-school tenant and the cost of cleanup or demolition for older dormitory structures.
Commissioner Townsend described prior appraisals and a strategy to use some building area for long-term airport parking and to preserve ramp/terminal flexibility for prospective commercial service. “This building is for sale. There’s multiple people wanting it… If we do not obtain this building right now, we will not get this building,” she said.
Commissioner Clasby and others urged caution. County staff said the appraisals had been completed and photos taken, but that physical condition assessments had not yet been conducted; staff estimated that targeted due-diligence assessments could range from about $10,000 to $50,000 depending on depth. Staff said legal review of existing leases and negotiations with the flight-school tenant (and any required lease termination terms) were underway and additional information would be delivered to commissioners within about a week.
The board approved a motion to direct staff to negotiate terms for a purchase but included a proviso that staff not expend funds for acquisition or significant due diligence without prior board approval. The roll-call vote passed with three commissioners in favor and two opposed.