TakingValue.com

Sawyer Realty Group, Inc. EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 2009, Mark Sawyer is not available for fee assignments.

Projects

Most of our real estate appraisal experience in eminent domain projects involve the widening of existing roadways in the greater Tampa Bay area of Florida. Before the bulldozers can start clearing, however, the government must value and acquire the taking for new right of way.

Sawyer Realty Group is now a part-time business providing limited real estate valuation consulting services for property owners and government agencies. As real estate consultants, we provide opinions relating to the real estate Taking Value and work as part of a team with eminent domain attorneys; on many cases,the team also includes professional engineers, planners, and other expert consultants.

Some of the projects for which our principal has provided primary appraisal services from 1984-2001 are as follows:

US Highway 19 & SR 580, Clearwater

US Highway 19 & Ulmerton Rd., Largo

US Highway 19 & Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs

Tampa Rd., US 19/US 19a, Palm Harbor (40+/- par.)

Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach (40+/- par.)

Alderman Rd., US 19/US 19a, Palm Harbor (30+/- par.)

US Highway 17, Eagle Lake, Polk County (15 par.)

Central Ave. & Pasadena Ave., St. Petersburg (5 par.)

Kings Ave., S. of SR 60, Brandon, Hillsborough Co.

SR 52, US 19/Little Rd., Hudson, Pasco Co. (9 par.)

McMullen-Booth Rd. & East Lake Rd., Clearwater

SR 52, Little Rd./Moon Lake Rd., Pasco Co. (8 par.)

SR 60, E. of Valrico Rd., Brandon, Hills. Co. (12 par.)

Interstate Highway 275, Maximo Park, St. Petersburg

US 41, S. of Sunset Ln., Lutz, Hillsborough Co. (23 par.)

SR 580, E. of Race Track Rd., Hills. Co. (17 par.)

US Highway 19 & Drew St., Clearwater (12 par.)

US Highway 19 & Curlew Rd., Clearwater (23 par.)

Curlew Rd., E. of US 19, Clearwater (23 par.)

4th St. No. & 9th Ave., St. Petersburg

SR 70, W. of I-75, Manatee Co.

Hillsborough Ave., Himes/Armenia, Tampa, (20 par.)

SR 54 & US 41, Land O' Lakes, Pasco Co.

Hexam Rd., E. of US 19, Hernando Co.

Bryan Dairy Rd. & 66th St., Largo

Delaney Creek, Clair-Mel, Hills. Co. (21 par.)

Keene Rd. & Gulf-to-Bay Blvd., Clearwater

Blind Pass Rd., St. Pete Beach

Klosterman Rd., Tarpon Springs

Interstate Highway 4 & US 27, Polk County

Tampa Bay Water, Hillsborough County

Dome Industrial Project, St. Petersburg

The Virgin Mary building was the most unique and "heavenly" property that I have encountered in my 36 years as a real estate appraiser.

It was formerly known as the Life Savings Bank building, located on US Highway 19, north of Drew, in Clearwater, Florida. In 1994, the Florida Department of Transportation needed part of the site for US 19 frontage road. At that time, I was the appraiser hired by the FDOT to value this property for partial acquisition of strip of land along the front property line. Here is my 1994 photo taken from US 19:

You are looking at the front and south elevations. Take a close look at the far right (south) side of the building and you will see rainbow colors in the panes of glass...red, yellow, white, blue and orange. A blow up of this mystery is shown below.

In 1996, someone saw an apparition of the "Virgin Mary" in this image. As the word got around, thousands of people started coming to the property each day to gather and pray before this image of the Madonna. The St. Petersburg Times ran a story which included the photo from my 1994 appraisal. Scientists believe the image is the result of a chemical reaction of sprinkler water deposits and natural elements on the glass. The faithful feel the causes have a divine source.

The daily crowds, now smaller, are still loyal. Here is a 2000 photo of the image; part of the parking lot is used as an outdoor sanctuary.

The Shepherds of Christ Ministries now holds services each night at 6:30 p.m. For more info, see:

www.sofc.org/DAILY/dailymsg.htm

March 2004 Update: Vandals destroyed the top 3 panels which have been replaced by clear glass.