During the Regular BCC meeting on Thursday, Nov. 5, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners authorized staff to negotiate the purchase of a property located at 3300 W. DeSoto St. from the Myrtle Grove Lodge #352.
The property is located across the street from the Brownsville Community Center, and would provide an opportunity to further the county's vision of bringing community services to the citizens of Brownsville and Escambia County.
"The building will be a wonderful asset in facilitating a wider range of educational, recreational and cultural benefits to our community," said District 3 Commissioner Lumon May.

The property consists of a two-story 7,330 square foot building on 0.37 acres of land located to the east of Brownsville Community Center and to the north of vacant county-owned land. Built in 1951, the building has a fellowship hall, kitchen, meeting areas, offices, three bathrooms and an elevator. The property will require significant investment prior to use. The property is zoned medium density residential, assessed at $99,128, and was listed on the market on Sept. 2.
An appraisal for this property has been ordered and is expected to be completed by Tuesday, Nov. 17. Additionally, staff has been authorized to proceed with the remaining due diligence for real property acquisition which is consistent with the provisions of Section 46-139 of the Escambia County code of Ordinances. An executed Sales Agreement will be brought back to the BCC for approval prior to closing on the property.
Funding for this project is available from the Brownsville CRA Fund. All work associated with this request is being done in-house and no additional staff is required.
For more information, please contact the Escambia County Office of Community and Media Relations at 850-595-3476 or [email protected].