The Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency voted 4-2 Monday to advance the $156,000 purchase of a vacant Eighth Street property, with a 120-day due diligence period to determine whether the site could support a resource center and attract outside partners.

Board members Sam Ruth and Diane Velazquez opposed the action on the 0.45-acre property at 205 E. Eighth St., which is owned by Duke Energy. The CRA previously directed staff in April to make an offer on the property.

The purchase price requires a $10,000 deposit with $146,000 due at closing. Economic Development Director Antranette Forbes said additional due-diligence costs, including an environmental assessment and survey, are not included in the purchase price.

Much of Monday’s discussion centered on whether the city should purchase the property before securing firm plans and partnerships for a resource center.

Board member Nadia Anderson supported moving forward, pointing to $150,000 previously set aside for a resource center and discussions with Orange County about a possible partnership.

“We need to put the money to work,” Anderson said. “The need is there.”

Board Chairman Nick Nesta said he supports making progress toward a resource center but questioned whether the less-than-half-acre property has enough room for a building, parking and water mitigation. He also said the city cannot fund and operate such a facility alone.

Nesta proposed using the 120-day due-diligence period to evaluate the site’s feasibility and seek commitments from organizations that could help fund or operate the facility.

“We need a plan in place,” Nesta said, adding that plan should include determining “who’s partnering” and how the project would be accomplished.

The purchase agreement allows the purchaser to withdraw during the due diligence period. Nesta said that would give the board an opportunity to reassess the acquisition if satisfactory partnerships or plans do not materialize.

The CRA was established in 1993 to address blight and encourage reinvestment within a 633-acre redevelopment area through tax increment financing. The agency’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 adopted budget totals about $6.3 million, including more than $4.7 million carried forward from prior years for redevelopment projects.