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Washington Terrace RDA approves $650,000 from property sale for parks improvements
Summary
The Washington Terrace Redevelopment Agency voted 4-1 on Oct. 7, 2025, to approve using $650,000 from the sale of 5580 South Adams Avenue to seed parks capital improvements, with one board member arguing the city should keep the funds flexible in the general fund.
The Washington Terrace Redevelopment Agency voted 4-1 on Oct. 7, 2025, to approve using $650,000 from the sale of 5580 South Adams Avenue for parks capital improvements, a decision the board said will help match grant funding and address failing playground equipment.
City Manager Tom Hanson told board members the sale proceeds are held by the RDA pending significant completion of a developer project and that staff hopes to earmark the money to strengthen grant applications. Hanson said the funds are “private donation” proceeds and emphasized the need for one-time capital dollars to replace or repair deteriorating equipment at Little Rohmer Park, Wright Park and Victory Park.
A split emerged over whether to lock the funds into a parks account or retain flexibility. Board Member Zunayid Z. Zishan urged caution about restricting the money, arguing fiscal uncertainty means the city should preserve options: “we are a broke city,” he said, adding that he would back specific repairs if needed but opposed earmarking the entire amount. City Manager Hanson countered that the city has strong planning and fiscal practices, saying he wanted to make it “very clear that we are not a broke city at all.”
Board Member Jill Christiansen supported earmarking the funds for parks, saying privately sourced proceeds increase the city’s leverage when applying for grant matches. Chair Mark C. Allen and Hanson said the RDA could earmark the funds for parks capital improvements while retaining the ability to transfer money to other priorities if necessary; staff noted the money could be invested in the PTIF (Public Treasurers’ Investment Fund) while projects await RAMP grant cycles.
Board Member Michael Thomas moved to approve the staff recommendation; Jill Christiansen seconded. The motion carried 4-1 with Christiansen, Cheryl Parkinson, Vice Chair West and Thomas voting aye and Zishan voting no. The board recorded the motion as “To approve the use of funds from the sale of the 5580 South Adams Avenue Property for the Parks Capital Improvements.”
The RDA did not adopt a binding multi-year project list at the meeting; members said earmarking would assist five-year planning and grant applications but that the city could transfer funds if a higher priority arose. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
