GREEN COVE SPRINGS – City council members discussed flipping an old fire station to the Clay County School District Tuesday night.

Council members unanimously approved a motion rejecting the school district’s offer of $85,000. The motion included offering the property to the school district for $135,000 on the condition the city could reacquire Fire Station 20 from the county.

The fire station, at 21 Roderigo Ave., borders school district facilities. The .94-acre property was valued at $134,000 for the land and the building last July. The district wants the land for security purposes and for additional paving, according to school district officials.

The city initially looked to offload the building last August. City staff explained the 2,100-square-foot facility was used for storage. Considering there wasn’t a rush to sell, it was pulled from the market by council members.

A solution to storage woes is Fire Station 20 in Green Cove Springs. County officials have made no secret of wanting to relocate the station. The estimated relocation is $3.5 million, according to the county’s legislative delegation packet presented to the county’s state leaders last week.

“...The (new) station will include fire and emergency medical service capabilities, house one of the county's two ladder trucks, as well as provide protection to the City of Green Cove Springs, Governors Park Development, all major county governmental buildings, and the

maritime port authority on the St Johns River,” the request said.

City manager Steve Kennedy said talks with the county about the station were positive. Council member Mitch Timberlake said he had no objection to granting a first right of refusal to the school district.

Council member Van Royal said $85,000 was too low and the city would like some assurances from the county before selling the Roderigo Avenue property. Royal’s motion passed with a 5-0 vote.