CHANDLER — A house purchased as part of the city’s acquisition of 29 acres of proposed park land could be used as a rental property for a year if the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department approves the request.

“If it’s okay with the Parks Board, we will lease it for $1,200 a month,” city administrator Jim Moffeit said. “We’re probably looking at one to two years, because we don’t have any plans for (the house) over the next 12 months.”

Chandler bought the land at 802 Martin St. from Stanley McCurley in April. He received a down payment of about $200,000, and the title remains with the Texas Parks and Recreation Foundation.

The remaining $385,000 will be paid at 6 percent over the next 10 years. If the city satisfies the debt in five years, the early-payoff penalty would be about $18,000.

The land also includes a swimming pool and other buildings. Eighty to 90 percent of the property is expected to be used for park development.

The state agency allows the assessed value at purchase to be used as matching funds in a parks grant. However, state law prohibits Chandler from using that program if it owns the property. Park land typically remains with the foundation for five years. The cost to use the program is $100 a year.

Early planning to expand Winchester Park includes adding walking paths, nature trails, playground equipment, restroom facilities, a spray pad, and discgolf course. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department programs offer money to state municipalities and counties with populations under 20,000, providing 50 percent matching funds, with the maximum amount awarded $75,000.

A new government complex is also being consid- ered. It would replace the cramped space on State Highway 31, where City Hall, the Chandler Police Department, Chandler Community Center, and Chandler Brownsboro Area Chamber of Commerce are housed in a single building.

Planning Concepts of Tyler is the consulting firm on the project.