A development firm that acquired a former state hospital in Lantana is requesting a $1.29 million refund because the property is about six acres smaller than the state advertised.
Lantana Development LLC will ask Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet to approve its refund request.
The Florida Cabinet approved the $15.6 million sale of the former A.G. Holley state tuberculosis hospital in Lantana in March 2014.
Southeast Legacy, a limited liability company based in Delaware, was the top bidder for the former state hospital, advertised as a 79.2 acres in size.
Soon after the sale, Southeast Legacy determined that the property is actually 73.2 acres and subsequently transferred the deed to Lantana Development LLC.
The Palm Beach Post reported in 2014 that Lantana Development LLC is a venture by Southeast Legacy and the Wexford investment firm.
State officials confirmed that the advertised size of the property was an estimate, but contended it was sold on an “as is, where is” basis.
The state Department of Environmental Protection rejected requests by Lantana Development to lower the price based on the actual size of the hospital property.
David Clark, deputy director of the department’s Division of State Lands, said that, in the language of the sale contract, “if the buyer obtains a survey of the property, nothing contained therein shall affect the purchase price or terms of this agreement.” [Sun-Sentinel] – Mike Seemuth