Committee member voices reservations about transferring state-owned 'Westridge' parcel

During consideration of House Bill 1842, which the committee recommended to pass with amendments, a member raised substantive reservations about a proposed transfer of a state-owned property referred to in the transcript as the 'Westridge parcel.' The member said there was no testimony showing the city would accept the transfer and noted existing leases on the property that—per the speaker—"won't expire for another 46 years."

The committee member stated concerns about the parcel's current value and revenue to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, saying the "current land value of the property is at 16 point $35 million" and that DNR receives annual rent (transcript: "664 annual rent"). The member added that, while the city has been active on affordable housing, committee consideration should account for whether the city is willing to negotiate for the parcel and noted uncertainty about the building owner and existing lease terms. The speaker closed by saying, "I'll, I'll be voting with reservations on this."

The chair and other members recorded the vote recommendation as adopted despite the voiced reservations. The transcript does not record a subsequent clarification confirming whether the city had been asked to accept the parcel or whether DNR and the city had negotiated terms; those points remained unresolved in the committee record.