Property Acquisition Process
The Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency (BPIA) has been at the helm of addressing the community’s most pressing infrastructure needs. The program provides for projects designed to improve roads, reduce traffic congestion, protect lakes and water quality, reduce flooding, and expand parks and recreational areas.
To accomplish these objectives, it is sometimes necessary for us to acquire private property. Because you are the owner of property that could be needed for such improvements, we have prepared this information to briefly explain our acquisition process as well as your rights and options within the acquisition program.
PROPERTY OWNER NOTIFICATION
Prior to (or at the time we make you an offer) you will receive notification explaining your rights and options within the acquisition program. We will explain the nature of the project and discuss the potential impacts upon your property. You will be provided with a point of contact for BPIA who will keep you informed of any developments related to your property throughout the process
PROPERTY APPRAISAL
Prior to making an offer to purchase your property, a real estate appraiser or other real estate expert will contact you to arrange an onsite inspection of the property for valuation purposes. We encourage you to be present during the inspection and provide any information which might affect the value of your property. You have the option of obtaining your own appraisal valuation and sharing this with us. Your appraisal valuation will be given consideration during the negotiation process. Additionally, BPIA will reimburse you for reasonable costs of obtaining real estate appraisers or other experts’ services to assist you with assessing the value of the property we are seeking to acquire.
OFFER TO PURCHASE
The offer to purchase your property will be based upon an appraisal and delivered in writing to you (in person or certified mail). It will not be less than the appraised amount. After you have reviewed the offer, you may choose to make a counteroffer. If you do so, BPIA will consider your counteroffer as we work to arrive at a mutually agreeable purchase price.
OWNER’S REPRESENTATIVE
After presenting BPIA’s initial written offer, if you feel it is necessary and with proper execution of the appropriate form, you may designate someone to represent you during negotiations. We will work diligently with your representative to reach an equitable resolution. If you choose to be represented by an attorney licensed to practice law in Florida, you will be reimbursed for reasonable fees paid to the attorney. Please note, the amount of fees paid may be limited by law.
CONDEMNATION
If we are unable to reach a mutually agreeable purchase price, we may choose to file a condemnation action, which will not occur sooner than 30 days from the date we make our initial written offer to purchase. Even if a condemnation suit is filed, Blueprint will continue to negotiate with you and your representative throughout the litigation process.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
If you would like copies of the appraisal, right of way maps, or construction plans, we will provide the documents within 15 days of your request. However, some documents may not be complete or available at the time of your request. If this is the case, you will either be provided with the most recent information available at that point in time, or you will be informed of when the requested information will be completed and available to you.