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Derby council authorizes purchase of 355 West Washington for park expansion, environmental review clean
Summary
Council authorized the city manager to negotiate purchase of a nearly 4-acre parcel at 355 West Washington for $395,000 after staff reported an environmental assessment found no contamination; council members said the purchase preserves future park expansion and addresses parking needs at Warren Riverview Park.
The Derby City Council voted 8-0 on Aug. 12 to authorize the city manager to enter into a real-estate purchase contract for a roughly 4-acre parcel at 355 West Washington, a property city staff described as adjacent to Warren Riverview Park.
City Manager Kyle Mangus and staff said the parcel, owned by Bob Cook Homes, LLC, formerly hosted a concrete batch plant and had been used as a storage yard. Mangus told the council staff requested and received an environmental assessment that showed no contaminant issues that would prevent purchase. The requested contract price presented to the council was $395,000.
Staff described the lot as roughly four acres and outlined possible future uses as a continuation of Warren Riverview Park, including additional parking, green space, river-view terraces and a potential dog park. Mangus said the full development shown on schematic materials would be roughly $1.2 million but that the city could open part of the parcel sooner for passive uses after limited cleanup and grading by public-works staff.
Council members who spoke supported purchasing the property now to secure land for future park development. Council member Neal called the price a bargain compared with prior discussions about the parcel. Council member Stanton asked that staff keep focus on maintaining existing, older neighborhood parks as the city pursues new acquisitions and development.
The council motion passed 8-0. Staff said the parcel would remain closed to the public initially because debris and some hazards remain, and that public-works crews would conduct cleanup and grading prior to any opening. The city did not adopt a final development plan at the meeting; council authorized entering into the purchase contract.
