Meridian to buy about 40.8 acres for future community park; council approves budget amendment and purchase resolutions

The Meridian City Council on April 15 approved a budget amendment and two resolutions to buy roughly 40.8 acres of land in the Fields District for a future community park.

City staff presented the purchase as a combination of a donation and paid acquisition. "We would be acquiring 39.9 acres from Hawaii Holdings, about 0.9 acres or just less than an acre from Intermountain Gas ... And so the total park site is about 40.8 acres," said Steve Sidaway, a city staff member presenting the report. Sidaway told the council the closing with the title company is scheduled for April 30.

Why it matters: The parcel sits about a mile west-northwest of the high school in that area and is part of the city's planned park network. Council members said the acquisition preserves open space in one of Meridian's fastest-growing areas and will provide park infrastructure near schools, a fire station and new roads.

Key facts and next steps

- Total area: approximately 40.8 acres (39.9 acres from Hawaii Holdings; about 0.9 acres from Intermountain Gas). - Purchase price: $3,925,587 for the Hawaii Holdings portion; Intermountain Gas parcel to be purchased at fair market value for $168,006.84. Sidaway described the difference between assessed value and purchase price on the Hawaii Holdings portion as a donation exceeding $3 million to the city. - Total purchase cost before closing: $4,094,002.71; the council approved a FY2025 budget amendment of $4,250,000 to cover the purchase plus closing costs (staff said the amendment could be reduced to $4,115,000 to exactly cover closing costs but that unused funds would return to the park impact fund). - Funding source: park impact fees. "We are not looking at impacting any general fund monies to make this acquisition happen," Councilman Overton said during the discussion. - Closing date: scheduled with the title company for April 30, 2025, according to staff.

Council discussion and public acknowledgements

Council members thanked staff and private partners involved in negotiating the donation and purchase. Councilman Cavender said the park will provide vital infrastructure for present and future residents and thanked city staff and private partners by name. Several council members described the site visit and the long-term value of preserving land for park use.

Votes at a glance

- FY2025 budget amendment (agenda item 9) — Approve amendment of $4,250,000 for purchase of real property for a community park site. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll-call vote). - Resolution 25-2512 (agenda item 10) — Authorize purchase of real property (Hawaii Holdings portion). Outcome: approved (unanimous roll-call vote). - Resolution 25-2513 (agenda item 11) — Authorize purchase of certain real property (Intermountain Gas portion). Outcome: approved (unanimous roll-call vote).

What was not decided or remains to be done

Council approved the budget amendment and purchase resolutions; staff will proceed to closing and return any unspent budget to the park impact fee fund. Design, programming and construction timelines for the park were not discussed and were not decided at the meeting.

Ending note

Council members said they look forward to closing on the property and moving forward with creating a park for the Fields District's growing population.