A longtime St. Augustine community advocate is offering to sell a marsh-front property to the city, potentially removing a major hurdle in the effort to protect downtown from future flooding.
Marilyn Nye-Islam, who has been active in the community for nearly four decades, is offering her 1.47-acre parcel at 160 Marine Street to the City of St. Augustine for $1.475 million.
The vacant property is one of three key sites needed to construct the southern portion of a new flood wall as part of the Lake Maria Sanchez Drainage Improvements Project.
The offer includes attorney’s fees and standard closing costs.
Although the property was appraised at $1.284 million, city policy allows for purchases above appraised value if the land serves a “paramount public purpose or essentiality need.”
Staff estimate the sale could save the city approximately $228,000 by avoiding legal and easement acquisition costs tied to the use of eminent domain, which had already been authorized by the City Commission.
In addition to its role in the flood control project, the Marine Street parcel is expected to be used as a staging area during construction.
After completion of the flood wall and installation of a maintenance easement, the city may choose to resell the property, possibly at an increased value due to the improvements.
Funding for the purchase would come from the city’s General Fund Reserves.
The St. Augustine City Commission will vote on the proposal on Monday.
Nye-Islam is the founder of Holiday Traditions, a Stop Children’s Cancer event that brought together local youth choirs and orchestras to raise money for pediatric cancer research.
She served as president of the organization and continues to serve on its advisory committee.
Before retiring, Nye-Islam owned Blue Ribbon Realty and was active in a range of civic and nonprofit efforts..
