University approves land sale to Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport

The Washington State University Board of Regents concluded months of negotiations by approving the sale of 125 acres of land to the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport on Friday.

The price of the sale, which encompasses 29 structures, including WSU’s Terre View Research Facility, has been set at $14,772,750. The airport is seeking the land to realign and expand its runway to meet federal design standards.

The board’s vote was put on hold late last month when questions arose over the ownership of nine of the buildings, indicating that the U.S. Department of Agriculture might have some claim. Those concerns were resolved in the intervening weeks, with USDA transferring ownership to WSU, said Phil Weiler, vice president of marketing and communications at WSU.

“No money changed hands in that transaction,” he said.

Negotiations over land acquisition and relocation costs are ongoing, and the final sale amount could vary by up to $300,000, according to the WSU news release.

Upon completion of negotiations, WSU plans to relocate several of its animal research programs and associated structures to other university-owned properties. Relocation of the Terre View Research Facility also was approved Friday.

Officials said last month that the final sale likely would not be enough to cover the expenses of replacing buildings and relocating projects. They said they would accept the offer, however, due to the importance of reliable air transport to the relatively isolated town.

The $119 million expansion, which is being paid for with with federal money, donations and the cities of Pullman and Moscow, broke ground last summer.

The Pullman City Council is expected to vote on the deal Tuesday.