Gardeners and nonprofit say they were not consulted about proposed relocation tied to downtown campus project

Gardeners and a nonprofit director told the council they were surprised and upset to learn of a potential plan to relocate the Susan Welchill community garden as part of the government's downtown campus redevelopment effort, saying volunteers and financial contributors were not consulted.

Gary Linell, who identified himself as an executive director of a local nonprofit and a gardener at the Susan Welchill community garden, said many gardeners discovered the relocation plan after a separate meeting and that nonprofit contributors had invested thousands of dollars and volunteer hours into native plantings, a food forest and soil improvements. "Please don't relocate the garden," Linell said, adding the garden contains educational plantings and healthy soil that are difficult or impossible to replace.

Linell told the council the proposed relocation appeared to accommodate two sand volleyball courts and urged the city to consider other locations for the courts so the garden can remain in place. He said he had met with city staff since raising concerns and praised staff responsiveness but asked for greater transparency going forward.

Mayor Scott Singer and staff confirmed follow‑up conversations. Singer said staff met with gardeners after an email and that city sustainability staff had been responsive. City Manager (Mr.) Brown said the city had reached out immediately after the email and staff had met with gardeners, and Tina Jennings from sustainability had participated in discussions. Brown added that the city had previously sought to acquire a different adjacent vacant parcel for park expansion but had been unsuccessful on price.

The council did not take any formal action during the workshop; staff indicated they would continue discussions with gardeners and the nonprofit and would provide more information to concerned residents.