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Tippecanoe County Council approves resolution to pursue 70‑acre Wildcat Creek property
Summary
Council voted to move forward with appraisals and a letter of intent to acquire about 70 acres near Wildcat Creek for environmental, historical and recreational uses; funding would come from the county land‑acquisition account and the Parks Foundation, and staff said the land lies largely in floodplain.
The Tippecanoe County Council on Dec. 9 approved a resolution expressing interest in pursuing purchase of approximately 70 acres along the Wildcat Creek, beginning the appraisal and due‑diligence steps necessary to negotiate a purchase.
Parks superintendent Randy told the council the parcel—near the Bicentennial Nature Area—offers environmental‑education, historical and recreational value and that the seller is offering the property at roughly half of the appraisal value (the county will obtain two independent appraisals before purchase). Randy said about half of the funding would come from the county’s land‑acquisition account and the remainder from the Tippecanoe County Parks Foundation.
Legal and staff comments noted statutory limits on appraisal‑based purchases: the county must get two appraisals and cannot pay more than the average of the two appraisals. Council members asked about zoning and development limits; staff said the parcel is largely floodplain and development will be constrained by that condition.
Councilman Murray moved and Councilman Richard seconded the resolution to proceed with appraisals and a letter of intent; the motion passed on a voice vote. Randy said the parks department hopes to complete steps and appropriate funding by January 2026 so the county can complete the acquisition early next year if negotiations succeed.
