Talent staff to redesign Gateway project without Wagner Street extension after irrigation district resists sale; remaining occupants given 90‑day notice

City staff told the Talent City Council and the Talent Urban Renewal Agency during a June 4 joint study session that Towne Irrigation District will not sell the right-of-way needed for the preferred Wagner Street extension, and that staff will move forward designing the Gateway redevelopment without that extension.

Alex, city staff, told the council and board that Towne Irrigation District “would not be a willing seller of that right of way,” and that the city attorney’s memo indicates the city does not have a viable eminent‑domain route to acquire it. Alex said a secondary alignment had been studied but would create poorly spaced intersections and would be costly and offer limited benefit, so staff proposes relying on direct access from the rotary, emergency/back access from Gagnon’s Street and a possible limited right‑turn onto South Pacific Highway.

Why it matters: the preferred Wagner Street alignment had been a key element in prior urban‑renewal plans for circulation through the Gateway parcel. Losing that alignment affects project design, potential costs, and options for relocating the Towne Irrigation District (TID) yard out of downtown.

Staff also briefed the council and board on property‑acquisition options. Alex said TID has previously estimated the cost to acquire and reestablish its operations elsewhere at roughly $3.7 million to $4 million several years ago, and that more recent, off‑the‑cuff figures have suggested $4 million to $6 million. The TID site totals…