The Owensboro City Commission on Tuesday approved annexing property on West Parrish Avenue that will eventually house a second Sonic location. Commissioners also approved purchases of one lot on Locust Street next to Fire Station No. 1 and five lots along West 5th Street near the Department of Public Works.
As first reported by Owensboro Times in February, Sonic Drive-In is planning a second location in Owensboro at 2510 West Parrish Avenue next to Taco Bell. In June, a spokesperson said they planned to open in “early 2023.” Earlier this month, the same spokesperson said the location “is still moving forward, with an anticipated opening in Spring 2023.”
On Tuesday, Commissioners approved annexing both 2510 and 2514 West Parrish Avenue, which combined total approximately .665 acres, to the City. There is an annexation incentive agreement for the properties, which are owned by Charles Mark Roberson, Carla Deann Roberson and Sarako LP.
According to a municipal order also approved Tuesday, the incentive includes reimbursing the property owners “in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the total ad valorem (excluding school tax), net profits, and general fund occupational tax revenues derived from the property located therein, over a designated five (5) year period.”
City Manager Nate Pagan said it is the City’s standard annexation incentive agreement, “which is a 5-year, 100% General Fund incremental tax rebate. Any nex taxes for 5 years generated from this project will go back to the developer as the incentive.”
In other business, municipal orders were approved authorizing the City to execute real estate purchase agreements for a handful of properties.
Commissioners approved the City purchasing property at 924 Locust Street for $95,000 for the purpose of expanding Fire Station No. 1, located on adjacent property at 512 West 9th Street.
Pagan said the city is making considerable investments into the fire department over the next several years. One of the projects includes eventually rebuilding Fire Station No. 1.
“We want to provide the department with modern facilities that will serve the community for decades to come,” Pagan said. “Like several of our other stations, Station 1 is on a property that is small and restricts the size and orientation of the facility.”
Commissioners also approved the City purchasing property at 1438, 1500, 1504, and 1508 West 5th Street for a total of $98,000 for the purpose of expanding the property housing the Department of Public Works.
The four parcels are adjacent to one another, and are all also adjacent to the Public Works property at 1410 West 5th Street.
Pagan said, “We just thought that this was a good long-term investment on behalf of the City to own and control the property that we will no doubt use in the future.”
