Pasco may pay $13 million to buy Sporting Complex from Franklin County; Volunteer Park could be part of proposed swap

The Pasco City Council will consider a proposal at its June 15 meeting that could authorize the city manager to pursue purchase of the Pasco Sporting Complex land from Franklin County.

Communications coordinator Alyssa Warner said the city constructed the sporting complex facilities but that Franklin County owns the land beneath them. "The city built the sporting complex facilities, but the county owns the land underneath them," Warner said in the council preview.

Warner said the proposal under consideration could include paying $13 million to the county and offering Volunteer Park to the county "to sweeten the deal." The preview did not record a formal motion, vote tally, or final decision; Warner described the item as one the council "will be asked to consider."

If the council authorizes a purchase or negotiation, the transaction would involve both a cash payment and a potential land exchange, which could affect management of the park and the sporting complex. The preview did not provide details on funding sources, timeline for negotiation, or whether any councilmember motions or conditions would be attached to authorization.

The council is expected to discuss the proposal during its regular meeting on June 15. The preview did not indicate that the item would be voted on that night or include any recorded votes; interested members of the public can watch the meeting live on the city’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

Next steps: the council will take up the item during the June 15 meeting; any formal authorization, negotiation directives, or vote outcomes will be reflected in the official meeting minutes and subsequent reports.