Wenatchee City Council on a voice vote approved a package of agreements to acquire the Bighorn Ridge property, also described in materials as the Lookout Natural Area, north of the city and adjacent to the urban growth boundary.

City parks and recreation director David Erickson told the council the acquisition is funded chiefly through a $750,000 state grant and roughly $800,000 in donations raised by the land trust, leaving the city to cover about $40,000 plus closing costs. “So, we’ve got a $750,000 grant from the state. Land trust has been diligently out there working, raising $800,000 in donations, to provide the grant match,” Erickson said.

The nut graf: Council approval will allow the city to finalize a project agreement with the Chelan Douglas Land Trust, assign the land trust’s option to the city, and execute a purchase-and-sale agreement with the property owners so the transaction can close next year and satisfy grant deadlines.

Erickson said the 1,600,000 appraisal for the property is largely covered by the grant and donations; the city’s financial exposure is limited to stewardship costs such as fencing and weed control. He described the property as a wildlife corridor that links to other public lands and provides trail connections that address the city’s comprehensive-plan goals for trails and open space.

Councilmember Charlie Atkinson moved approval of the project agreement and assignment; Councilmember Jose Cuevas seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote and the council recorded no roll-call tally in the meeting minutes.

Council discussion noted seasonal closures to protect habitat: city staff said the property will follow the same seasonal open-closed schedule used for other natural areas (open April 1–Nov. 30; closed in winter for habitat and maintenance). Erickson said remaining due diligence — appraisals, phase 1 environmental and cultural resources reviews — has been completed in prior years and that all partners and property owners had signed the agreements.

The action preserves roughly $1.6 million in land value for a city commitment of about $40,000 and routine stewardship costs; closing is expected in early next year to meet grant requirements.