Title
Approval of Purchase of Real Estate Owned by Michael Wirth
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Purchase of Real Estate from Michael Wirth consisting of 1.14 acres
Issue:
Whether to approve the Purchase of Real Estate from Michael Wirth for a future park site
Staff Contact:
Paul Simmons, Parks, Arts and Recreation Director, 360.753.8462
Mark Barber, City Attorney, 360.753.8223
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Michael Wirth owns a 1.14-acre parcel located between Hays Ave. NW and West Bay Dr.; Assessor's Parcel No. 67400000700 (see attachment titled Property Location Map).
The City desires to purchase this parcel to expand its inventory of passive open space and wildlife habitat to protect the existing heron rookery. In addition to habitat preservation, acquisition of this parcel would provide good opportunities for people to experience nature in their neighborhood and important trail connections from the neighborhood down to West Bay Drive and West Bay Park.
Staff has concluded negotiations with the Seller, and has prepared the Purchase Real Estate agreement that is attached to the Staff Report. The purchase price is $97,955.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
In 2015, a series of 8 neighborhood meetings with a total of 160 participants were conducted to provide input for the 2016 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan. The most dominant themes of these meetings were:
* Acquire land in general while it is available; and
* Buy open space/natural areas - provide nearby access to nature
The 2015 Random Sample Survey of 759 respondents, conducted for the upcoming 2016 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan, indicated that "trails" and "natural open space" were the highest priority for new projects.
In late 2015, Olympia Coalition for Ecosystems Preservation (OlyEcosystems) purchased a 4.5 acre site located near the intersection o...
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