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COVID-19

Spokane Valley waits on decision to buy 45-acre park

Spokane Valley City Attorney Cary Driskell shields his eyes from the sun Tuesday during a tour of a 45-acre piece of vacant property near the  Spokane River on Flora Road and Euclid Avenue  that the city of Spokane Valley is considering buying. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)

Spokane Valley leaders decided to wait a week or two before deciding on whether to purchase a 45-acre plot for a new park, with some leaders worried it could use funds that might be needed as shutdowns from COVID-19 increase.

The parcel, a large, mostly natural, evergreen-covered section of land near the old SCRAPS building on Flora Road, was recently surplussed by the Washington State Department of Transportation and would cost about $2.1 million. The state must give the city the first opportunity to buy the property, but if it does not, it can then open it up.

The city has applied for a state grant, which it could use to reimburse itself for half the cost if it is awarded the money.

City Attorney Cary Driskell said a developer looking to build an apartment complex and a company looking to build a gravel pit also were interested in the land.

Council members Arne Woodard and Rod Higgins said they were concerned about spending $2.1 million on parkland when the community is facing so much uncertainty, and the city itself could see a loss of tax revenue.

“I don’t think we should start using our reserves when we don’t know what’s down the road,” Higgins said.

Councilwoman Pam Haley said she’d heard from constituents opposed to buying land, saying they were afraid the city could face a recession.

“It’s an awesome piece of property, and I love it,” she said, “but I, too, would like to pay our bills.”

Deputy Mayor Brandi Peetz said she was open to waiting on more information from WSDOT on whether the city could hold off on purchasing the property until things are calmer, but said she was afraid of losing the land to development.

“It’s part of being a city, we try to think big-picture,” she said. “Yes, we need to be frugal, yes, we need to think big-picture, but I also don’t want to see this opportunity pass us by.”

Councilman Tim Hattenburg said he was still interested in purchasing the property, saying he had heard from a constituent who was excited about having some good news to look forward to during a crisis, and a park would be something future generations could enjoy.

“We can put a positive face on things during a crisis situation,” he said.

City Manager Mark Calhoun told the council before they made a decision that there are likely no more parcels of land left of this size in the city.

“They’re not making any more land, and we’re never going to have this shot again,” he said.

City officials will likely discuss the purchase again in the coming weeks after city staff research how long they can wait to purchase it.