Phoenix offers $1M above appraisal for land

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon says a Sky Harbor runway-improvement project - funded by federal stimulus dollars - has created nearly 300 jobs.

Phoenix airport officials are offering $1 million more than the appraised value for a piece of contaminated land south of Sky Harbor International Airport where they want to build a parking lot.

But some members of the City Council are balking at the deal, saying they can’t understand why the Aviation Department is offering more than the land is worth.

Airport officials are pressing the Council to OK a $4.4 million deal for the nearly 12 acre property. It was once the site of a fertilizer plant and now is owned by an investor.

The Arizona Republic reports that Aviation Department officials want the land for a new employee parking area close to a new airport train connection.

The deal is supported by some City Council members.