Shoreline council approves purchase of 14925 Aurora Ave. N. for park; pump track and public‑private options planned

The Shoreline City Council voted unanimously May 5, 2025, to authorize the city manager to complete the acquisition of property at 14925 Aurora Avenue N. (King County parcel 282710-0005) for $4,400,000, with an estimated $50,000 in associated closing and securing costs.

City staff described the site as a priority acquisition in the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan because it sits adjacent to the Interurban Trail and near RapidRide E Line transit service. Economic Development Program Manager Nathan Daum and Parks Director Mary Reedy told the council the parcel could host several public uses; staff and some speakers emphasized a pump track (BMX-style bike facility) as one likely option.

Daum said the city expects to use park impact fees to fund the purchase and will pursue a $1 million Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant to reduce the local fee draw. He told the council the application would likely be competitive and that, if needed, the city could consider general fund dollars. Reedy and Daum said staff will explore a public‑private partnership with the adjacent business owner to reconfigure parcel lines so both park amenities and private uses could coexist.

Public testimony at the required hearing included nearby residents and business owners who favored city ownership. Kyle McQueen, who identified himself as co‑owner of Seattle Ski and Snowboard adjacent to the parcel, said city ownership would likely reduce camping and drug activity on the vacant lot and boost positive daytime use along the interurban trail. Westminster neighborhood resident Lan (Lan) Chang said the parcel had twice been proposed for high‑density development and that a park would better activate the area.

Council members pressed staff on timeline and funding. Reedy told the council that no construction would be immediate: design and development would likely take three to four years, pending design work, grant outcomes and sequencing of other park projects. Staff said Westminster is high on the city’s development queue and that some design funding for other parks (for example, Edwin Pratt Park) recently arrived in the state budget.

The council approved the purchase by roll call vote: Councilmember Scully, Mayor Christopher Roberts, Councilmember Pobey, Councilmember Adamasu and Deputy Mayor Moore all voted “aye”; the motion passed 5‑0.

Staff described further steps as standard for property acquisitions: finalize purchase documents, pursue grant funding, and begin community engagement and design in coordination with the public and potential private partners. Reedy said staff will return to council with details on funding, design priorities and a development timeline once grants and other funding sources are clarified.