Gov. Rick Scott and the state Cabinet agreed Tuesday to spend $580,000 to help expand The Grove historic site in Tallahassee, despite a lawsuit by a Scott political opponent who says he has a deal to buy the land.
The Grove, near the governor's mansion north of downtown Tallahassee, was built in the 19th century by Richard Keith Call, who served as a territorial governor before Florida became a state. It later became home to the late Gov. Leroy Collins and his family.
The state bought the home in 1985 and also received a right of first refusal on three adjacent lots. Attorney Steven Andrews, whose law office is on part of the adjacent land, entered an agreement last year to buy two of the lots --- spurring the state to decide to buy them.
Scott and other officials said Tuesday the purchase will improve access to The Grove, while also helping as the state develops a historic site to attract visitors.
"I think it's important for the history of the state and for Tallahassee to continue to improve that piece of property,'' Scott said after the Cabinet meeting. "I think having access to Monroe (Street) will be a real benefit."
But Andrews filed a lawsuit last week in Leon County Circuit Court arguing, in part, that the state's right of first refusal expired in December. Andrews asked for what is known as a "declaratory judgment" that the state does not have a right to buy the land.
Andrews caused a stir during the 2010 gubernatorial election when he tried to force the release of a Scott deposition in a lawsuit involving the Solantic health-care chain, which Scott helped found. Andrews, a contributor to losing Republican candidate Bill McCollum, also tried to subpoena Scott.
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam asked about the lawsuit before Scott and the Cabinet approved the purchase Tuesday. Secretary of State Ken Detzner, whose agency oversees historical projects, said he was aware that a lawsuit had been filed but had not seen the details.
Scott said later he knew Andrews opposed his campaign, but he said there was no correlation between that opposition and the state's decision to buy the property.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the state needed to act or would not be able to buy the property, which includes a parking lot.
"If we don't exercise our right, we lose it,'' Bondi said.
