The City of Sebastian has finalized the sale of the old Public Works Compound to StillDragon, a distillery manufacturer, for $1,050,000.
The transaction, approved last Wednesday, is set to close within 60 days, paving the way for a unique redevelopment of the site located at 100 Veterans Memorial Way.
The sale puts a city-owned property back on the tax rolls, and it is exactly the type of business that fits the vision for our CRA district. The location is on Sebastian Blvd. between the American Legion and the Sherwin-Williams Paint Store.
The company envisions a dynamic complex including an educational center, a craft cocktail sampling room, a restaurant, and a gift shop. The addition of an outdoor patio and a tropical botanical garden aims to offer a lively venue for live entertainment and community engagement.
Despite concerns from some community members about the property’s value, Mayor Ed Dodd affirmed that the sale price is a fair reflection of its market value, emphasizing that the $50,000 surplus over the appraisal signifies a win for the city.
City Manager Brian Benton outlined plans for the proceeds, indicating they will be earmarked for a city enhancement program. “I think our best course of action is that we designate the proceeds for a future city enhancement program. We would establish a project in a fund balance that would hold the fund. It would be separate and could not be used for any project until a project is designated by City Council,” Benton said.
StillDragon, led by industry expert Larry Taylor, plans a comprehensive transformation of the site. Intent on shifting its primary operations from West Palm Beach to Sebastian, Florida.
With a track record of over 12 years and having supplied 1,000 stills to more than 500 U.S. distilleries, StillDragon’s move is seen as a boon for local economic development and a significant enhancement to the cultural landscape of Sebastian.
Taylor anticipates that the site’s redevelopment will take about a year. Following their move to Sebastian, StillDragon plans to expand its workforce to 20 and 40 staff members focused on administrative and distribution roles once the project is completed. The company already offers competitive employee benefits, including paid vacation and full coverage of insurance premiums.
Taylor highlighted their dedication to fostering a positive workplace, noting the importance of flexible working hours. Their goal is to provide salaries that ensure a comfortable living for their employees.
“We try to make it a good place to work. We’re very flexible with hours and things of that nature, but we like to pay our employees. We want good employees because turnover is not helpful,” Taylor explained.
Currently, the Treasure Coast hosts five active craft distilleries: two in Stuart, two in Vero Beach, and one in Fort Pierce.