Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/316941
with the perception that they would be giv- ing away the publicly owned and abandoned garden and an adjacent parking lot on Fifth Street. Kauffman's proposal called for him to receive "credits" against the $1,054,000 purchase price in exchange for building "cer- tain improvements providing benefit to the public," said Chief Planner Ryan Chapdelain with the city's Neighborhood and Building Services Department. Kauffman and staff were not asking the City Commission to agree to the deal at the meeting. They were simply laying out the parameters of the deal so a final document could be produced for signatures. "They'll get credit for 40 public parking spaces, and [improvements to] the roadway," said city Purchasing Director Mary Tucker. "It looks like the credits exceed the purchase price," said Vice Mayor Susan Chapman. "How much are they paying the city for this property?" asked Mayor Willie Shaw. (From left) Attorney Brenda Patten, Dr. Mark Kauffman, Jonathan Parks, Selina Wilson and Joel Freedman gather before the City Commission as the Rosemary Square team. Photo by Stan Zimmerman Sarasota News Leader May 23, 2014 Page 40