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Sarasota News Leader November 8, 2013 Page 41 Patterson noted the county might not be able to fund the actual setup of the park facilities at the North County site for some time, but she called the planned purchase a "legacy." "I don't believe we would be able to duplicate a property of that size," Patterson said. The first phase environmental assessment found no issues, such as hazardous materials, on the three parcels that make up the 115 acres. The consultant's report, by Johnson Engineering, did recommend, however, a second phase of environmental testing on the two parcels that were formerly used as wasteCommissioner Nora Patterson offers remarks water treatment facilities. That study will be at a meeting. File photo completed before a final County Commission forward with due diligence for the purchase vote slated for Nov. 19. of the land. "It's been a long time coming." According to the Johnson Engineering report, the property was a cow pasture before 1986, During the county's upcoming comprehensive parks and recreation master planning when it was developed as a water facility and process, staff will look into different possible wastewater treatment plant. uses for the new space, such as the number County staff presented a timetable with a and type of ball fields and other facilities on December closing date, if all goes as planned. the site, Brown said. "We are looking at an ultimate closing on Dec. 5," said Michael Murphy with the county's Office of Financial Planning. "That is a tentative closing. We will be monitoring the Environmental Study Phase Two." A LONG TIME COMING The county's purchase — if finalized later this month — would be funded through a loan that would be repaid through surtax revenue over a 10-year period. The park would meet a need, Brown told the commissioners. In the early 2000s, a local study identified a Once it is developed, the 115-acre parcel will deficit of ball field space. be a centrally located park with a multitude "[The need for] this type of sports complex of ball fields. was specifically spelled out," Brown noted. "Today is a great day," Brown told The Sarasota "The specific location was the north side of News Leader after Wednesday's vote to move the city."