Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property From the Estate of Margaret E. Long
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to acquire 9.85 acres, more or less, of real property commonly located at 401 Kaiser Rd. NW from the Estate of Margaret E. Long.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the purchase of real property from the Estate of Margaret E. Long’ for a future park site and for conservancy purposes.
Staff Contact:
Laura Keehan, Planning & Design Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.570.5855
Mark Barber, City Attorney, 360.753.8338
Presenter(s):
None- Consent Item
Background and Analysis:
The Estate of Margaret E. Long (Seller) owns a 9.85-acre property located at 401 Kaiser Rd NW, Tax Parcel No. 12817240101. The property is undeveloped and contains a mature stand of western red cedar, Douglas fir, big leaf maple and western hemlock. The understory consists of native vegetation and few invasive species.
The property aligns with the proposed western continuation of the Capitol to Capitol Trail. The Capitol to Capitol Trail was originally envisioned by former Washington Secretary of State Ralph Munro to connect the Washington State Capitol with the State Capital Forest. The first mile-long segment of the Capitol to Capitol Trail was recently constructed at Grass Lake Nature Park.
The Capitol to Capitol Trail is a shared use trail that will offer recreation and non-motorized transportation connections for northwest Thurston County and west Olympia neighborhoods. The Trail has been included in the Thurston Regional Trails Plan and Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan for almost two decades.
Staff has concluded negotiations with the Seller and has prepared the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement attached to this staff report. The purchase price is $2,900,000. Because of the high habitat and trail connection value of the subject property, The Angela J. Bowen Conservancy Foundation (AJBCF) has agreed to donate to the City of Olympia half of the sale price ($1,450,000) of the acquisition. In coordination with the donation, a Donation Ordinance, Donation Letter, and Declaration of Conservation Restrictions have been developed and reviewed by legal counsel for the AJBCF and City.
Climate Analysis:
Acquisition of the subject property will preserve a mature stand of healthy forest, which provides carbon sequestration benefits. Additionally, future use of the property will allow for continuation of the Capitol to Capitol Trail which provides non-motorized transportation options to community members thus reducing vehicle mile trips.
Equity Analysis:
West Olympia contains some of the City’s more diverse and lower income census tracts. This land acquisition will allow for a trail connection for recreation and non-motorized transportation connection options that are free, ADA accessible and open to the public.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Park land acquisition has been a high priority in Olympia for many years as demonstrated by voter support of tax measures for park land acquisition.
Financial Impact:
Half of the purchase price will be paid by using voted utility tax funds allocated in the Capital Facilities Plan and half will be paid by a donation from The Angela J. Bowen Conservancy Foundation.
Options:
1. Approve the resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to acquire 9.85 acres, more or less, of real property commonly located at 401 Kaiser Rd NW from the Estate of Margaret E. Long.
2. Do not authorize the purchase of real property from the Estate of Margaret E. Long. This would mean not accepting the donation from The Angela J. Bowen Conservancy Foundation and not purchasing this property as park land and for conservancy purposes.
Attachments:
Resolution
Purchase & Sale Agreement