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University Place council approves purchase of 2903 Morrison Road West to expand parkland
Summary
Council voted 4-0 to approve a purchase and development agreement with 20 Seventh Street Apartments LLC that will add land adjacent to Adriana Hess wetland park; $715,000 purchase price reduced by park impact fee credits to a net of $164,380, with remaining funds to come from unallocated carry-forward and a future budget amendment.
The University Place City Council voted 4-0 Monday to approve a purchase and development agreement for property at 2903 Morrison Road West, authorizing the city manager to execute the purchase and related documents.
Public Works Director Jack Ecklund told the council the parcel is “located immediately adjacent to the Adriana Hess wetland park” and that the negotiated purchase price is $715,000 with park impact fees credited against that price, producing a net purchase price of $164,380.
The parcel purchase was presented as supporting the city’s parks, recreation and open-space plan. Ecklund said the developer of an adjacent multifamily and mixed-use project, 20 Seventh Street Apartments LLC, will credit park impact fees due from that development toward the purchase price. He also described wetland restoration and trail improvements the developer is performing as part of its development, and said the developer intends to dedicate the restored wetland property to the city after completing the trail work.
Council members asked about funding and timing. Ecklund said the remaining balance will be funded from unallocated carry-forward funds identified by finance staff and that staff will include the final amounts in the next budget-adjustment cycle. He estimated the developer’s wetland plantings and maintenance period are under way and said the trail work and dedication would likely be complete in about a year.
Councilmember Fleming moved approval; Councilmember Boykin seconded. A roll-call vote recorded Boykin, McCluskey, Fleming and Mayor Pro Tem Wood voting in favor; the motion carried 4-0.
Officials said closing costs are expected to be minimal and will be addressed in the forthcoming budget amendment. The staff report and council discussion noted the acquisition aligns with previously adopted park and open-space planning work and is intended to provide public-access connections from Adriana Hess to Paradise Pond.
Next steps: staff will bring budget adjustments for council review in the next amendment cycle and will coordinate the formal dedication and easements associated with the developer’s maintenance and monitoring obligations.
