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Friends of Oppenlander urge district to negotiate sale, warn of lost community field
Summary
Speakers representing Friends of Oppenlander told the board the district should resume good‑faith talks with the city and community about the future of the Oppenlander site, arguing a sale could remove a long‑used recreational field and that the group is willing to contribute financially.
Friends of Oppenlander and several residents urged the district to resume negotiations over the Oppenlander property, emphasizing the site’s value as community athletic fields and a neighborhood gathering place.
Dean Sir said the nonprofit group has a 40‑plus‑year history supporting programs at Oppenlander and asked the board to return to the table with the city and community in “good‑faith negotiation” rather than rely on a quick sale to shore up district reserves. “We actually wanna write some checks,” he said, and called for a solution that would be a win for the city, community and district.
Other commenters underscored the difficulty of replacing the athletic fields and park space if the district sold the property to a developer. Board members acknowledged the concern and asked staff to continue conversations with city officials and clarify constraints tied to land‑bank funds, borrowing and the district’s obligations.
