Renton council adopts ordinance to acquire King County parcel for Tri Park expansion

The Renton City Council on a unanimous second-and-final vote adopted an ordinance authorizing acquisition of King County parcel 1723059026, including through the exercise of eminent domain for public purposes. City staff told the council the roughly 12.5-acre vacant site was identified in the Tri Park master plan in 2006 and again in 2011 and 2020 and that buying it would expand park property, maximize riverfront public access and provide opportunities for environmental work along the Cedar River. Why it matters: The purchase would implement long-standing Tri Park plan priorities and could open opportunities for river access and salmon-habitat restoration, but staff said the final approach to site improvements will follow public outreach and additional council review. During a presentation, staff said the site historically was used for sand, gravel and stone work and that a 02/2019 land-use approval for a large apartment and commercial building lapsed after market conditions shifted around 2022, creating the current purchase opportunity. Staff recommended council adopt the ordinance authorizing acquisition “through the city's powers of imminent domain.” Resident Paul Dutton spoke during the public hearing in favor of the acquisition, saying, “I'm wholly in favor of this,” and thanked the city for recent actions protecting the Cedar River. Parks and recreation administrator Mary Jane Van Cleef said the purchase “opens up opportunities for that site” and described plans to solicit public feedback, noting staff will be at the RiverDays festival to gather input and that the city is updating its Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan. Van Cleef said options raised so far include revisiting the dog-park location and other amenities. On process and next steps, staff said they expect to reach a negotiated purchase agreement; if they cannot, they will return to council to discuss alternatives. Staff also said the purchase price would be set at fair market value and that any eventual purchase-and-sale agreement would come back to council for approval. Council action: The ordinance authorizing the acquisition was moved, seconded and carried on roll call; the clerk recorded all votes as affirmative. Council also closed the public hearing before taking the ordinance vote. What remains unresolved: Staff did not present a final purchase price or a detailed preferred site plan; they said community outreach and plan updates will determine specific park elements and that staff will report back to council later in the summer or early fall.