The City of Safford contracted CEI to provide acquisition services for this federally-funded project. To accommodate continued growth and upgrade safety features for residents in the area, the City determined it necessary to widen a stretch of 20th Avenue, an arterial road in the City of Safford. This section of 20th Avenue hosts both residential and business parcels along the project area including a hospital, various doctors’ offices, and a senior living facility.

Since the estimated acquisition costs were less than $10,000, CEI was able to perform Restricted Use Appraisals in lieu of full appraisal reports, which resulted in a large savings to the City and the project budget.

Tasks completed by CEI staff included presenting at the City’s Public Meeting; reviewing title reports; conducting all site inspections; performing 43 Restricted Use Appraisals; drafting all conveying documents and offer packages; presenting all offers to property owners; negotiating on behalf of the City; coordinating with the Title company on all escrow processes; and managing all communications with property owners.

The City put the project on hold for two years and reactivated the project in early 2018.