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King County approaches Newcastle about purchasing Dow Pay properties for preservation; council supportive
Summary
City manager told council that King County has contacted Newcastle about purchasing properties tied to the former Dow Pay logging-permit issue for preservation and trails. City staff recommended the county take the lead; council agreed and asked staff to send a letter of support.
King County has approached Newcastle to discuss purchasing several properties tied to the city's earlier Dow Pay logging-permit controversy as potential preservation and trail parcels, the city manager told the council on Sept. 16. The county will still need to negotiate with property owners; city staff recommended allowing King County to lead the acquisition and preservation effort.
The city manager said the development follows an earlier legal history in which a logging permit did not proceed and the permit lapsed, leaving the properties unlogged. "I would recommend we let King County take the lead if they're willing to," the city manager said, and asked whether the council objected to the county pursuing acquisition. Councilmember Charbonneau asked whether the council should send a letter of support; councilmembers agreed staff could prepare a letter and send it to the county.
The council did not take a formal vote on acquisition but signaled support for the county's involvement and asked staff to draft and circulate a letter of support for council review before sending it to King County. The county still must negotiate with property owners and determine fair-market compensation before closing any purchase.
