City Votes To Take Over Land To Save Library View
The city of Spokane will pursue its desire for a prime piece of riverfront property into court if it can’t settle on a price with the land’s owners.
City Council members voted 6-1 Monday to move forward with condemnation of the land just north of the downtown library - but only if continued negotiations with the landowners fail.
Councilman Joel Crosby said the city has been unable to settle on a “fair purchase price” with Steve and Leslie Ronald, who own the 1.4-acre property overlooking the Spokane Falls.
“Future generations will be thankful we took this action,” said Crosby, who has fought for two years to buy the land and preserve the panoramic view from the downtown library.
Buying the land also would enhance plans for the Lincoln Street Bridge project, Crosby said.
In April, the Ronalds filed a $3 million lawsuit against the city, alleging they repeatedly had been blocked from developing the land because the city wanted to save the view.
A few days later, the council voted to accept $600,000 in federal taxpayer money earmarked for buying the land.
Councilman Orville Barnes cast the lone dissenting vote Monday, saying he worried the city would have to dip into the general fund to pay the Ronalds.
“The problem with condemnation is that once you start that particular process … you’re subject to the whims of the court,” he said.
“It could have an effect on the general fund budget, and I would hate to have to do that.”
Barnes also said he doubted the Ronalds would be able to build the seven-story condominium complex they’ve planned since 1987.
“I don’t think that it’s economic,” Barnes said. “I doubt very much it will get built.”
Attempts to reach the Ronalds on Monday were unsuccessful.
Spokane resident Steve Thompson urged the council not to condemn the land, saying the move trampled the property owners’ rights.
“The view belongs to the primary lot rather than the secondary lot,” Thompson said. “If you wanted the view, you should have built on the primary lot.”
, DataTimes