HR1276-119

What This Bill Does

This bill removes deed restrictions from approximately 3.62 acres of federal land in Paducah, Kentucky that was previously transferred to the city. The land, located at 2956 Park Avenue on the Paducah Memorial Gardens, was given to the city via quitclaim deed in 2012 with various restrictions. This legislation allows the city to transfer or sell the property under new, more flexible conditions.

Who Benefits and How

The City of Paducah, Kentucky benefits by gaining more flexibility in how it can use or dispose of this property, free from the original deed restrictions that limited its options. The Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club of Paducah is specifically named as the only entity (besides the federal government) to whom the city may transfer or sell the land, giving this nonprofit organization a potential opportunity to acquire the property for community use.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Secretary of the Interior must execute the legal instruments necessary to remove the deed restrictions, creating a minor administrative burden. There is no significant cost to taxpayers as this involves lifting restrictions on land already transferred to the city, not new spending. The original conservation or use restrictions placed on this federal land transfer will be lifted, though new conditions require any use to remain compatible with public or recreational purposes.

Key Provisions

• Removes all deed restrictions from the 3.62-acre parcel at 2956 Park Avenue in Paducah, originally recorded in McCracken County Deed Book 1229
• Restricts future transfers: the city may only sell or transfer the land to the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club of Paducah
• Requires the Boys & Girls Club to offer the land back to the Secretary of the Interior (without payment) before selling to any other entity
• Mandates that any new use or development of the land must be compatible with public use or recreation purposes