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Billings accepts staff report recommending sale or other disposition of 11 park properties
Summary
The council accepted a parks department disposition report identifying 11 city-owned park properties for potential sale, donation or partial disposal and asked staff to prepare a resolution and public hearing for April 13; staff estimated modest annual maintenance savings and presented tentative market ranges for each parcel.
The Billings City Council on March 8 accepted a staff report that identifies 11 park and city-owned properties for potential disposal and directed staff to prepare a resolution and public hearing on April 13.
Parks Director Gavin Walter said the disposition committee and professional real-estate evaluators produced a Phase 1 list of properties that the committee judged most appropriate for sale or other disposition, stressing that the report recommends properties to consider for disposal but does not mandate how they would be sold, swapped or donated. Walter said the committee’s goal was to balance fiscal responsibility with public interest and preserve open space where appropriate.
Walter told the council that annual maintenance savings for the seven of 11 listed properties are modest—about $13,500 annually—and that expert price estimates vary widely by intended use and zoning (examples cited in the report ranged from $30,000–$40,000 for some parcels up to $600,000–$850,000 for others if used for multifamily or commercial development). He said the department will propose a cash-in-lieu policy in coming months to guide how proceeds would be used.
Council members asked for clarification about the financial logic of disposing of assets that generate little maintenance cost and raised neighborhood concerns where residents opposed sale. Several council members argued that sale could turn underused assets into taxable property and reduce long-term liabilities. Council member Lindley asked that staff be mindful of neighbors’ preferences; Council member Nicholson suggested long-term leases or trusts as alternatives.
Council member Kennedy moved to accept the report and instruct staff to prepare the resolution and public-notice materials; the motion was seconded and approved on a voice vote. Staff will return with a draft resolution and public hearing materials in advance of the April 13 hearing for council consideration and possible modification.
