City selling more Central State land

A development team that bought 115 acres at the former site of Central State Hospital may soon buy another 33 acres from the city, at a cost of $223,500. Sound cheap? Mike Higbee, president of Development Concepts Inc. and one of the buyers, said the price reflects a need to clear the land and address environmental issues before development. “It’s certainly not a gift,” he said. His development team, which also includes Charles Garcia of GM Construction Inc., is planning between 200 and 300 single-family residences and 20-30 acres of commercial space for the property at the corner of West Washington Street and Tibbs Avenue. The Metropolitan Development Commission could approve the sale tomorrow. The first chunk of land sold for $1.45 million.