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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 02 Weyerhaeuser Hall Road Acquisition AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 3/16/2015 Meeting Type: Work Session Staff Contact/Dept.: Jeff Paschall/DPW Tom Boyatt/DPW Staff Phone No: 541-726-1674 541-744-3373 Estimated Time: 10 Minutes S P R I N G F I E L D C I T Y C O U N C I L Council Goals: Encourage Economic Development and Revitalization through Community Partnerships ITEM TITLE: WEYERHAEUSER HAUL ROAD ACQUISITION ACTION REQUESTED: Provide direction to staff regarding completing the process for acquisition of certain portions of the Weyerhaeuser Haul Road. ISSUE STATEMENT: In 2013, Willamalane Parks and Recreation District (Willamalane) finalized a transaction with Weyerhaeuser to acquire 136 acres of wooded property for future parkland. In addition Willamalane also purchased a four mile stretch of the log truck haul road as depicted in Attachment 1. The City has interest in certain segments of the acquired haul road for future right of way needs and street construction to support future development and growth in the Jasper-Natron area. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1: Maps DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL IMPACT: Prior to the 2013 transaction in which Willamalane acquired the future park land and haul road, the City was coordinating efforts to purchase the haul road with Willamalane for future streets and a multi-use path for approximately $750,000 subject to appraisal of value. The City’s interest is in preserving portions of the haul road for future right of way needs. Much like the Jasper Trunk Sewer, these rights of way represent a crucial link to future development on lands in the Jasper/Natron area that are within the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), and assist in preparing the area for development. There are two roadway projects identified in the Council adopted Springfield Transportation System Plan (TSP) that rely on this future right of way for further development. Since the transfer of ownership to Willamalane is complete, they are seeking to finalize the agreement to transfer ownership of the future right of way segments to the City. Staff has been working with Willamalane staff and legal counsel to finalize conditions and fee for transfer of the property in question. In addition to coordinating the Haul Road purchase, Willamalane and the City are working together to design and construct a Willamalane funded trail and trailhead as part of the Mill Race Stormwater Facility. This project is on schedule to advertise for construction bids in mid-April to early May. The current estimate for construction of the path and trailhead portion of the project is $500k to $600k. Staff is proposing the City construct the Willamalane elements of the project at the Stormwater Facility as part of the City’s fee for acquiring the portions of the haul road of interest to the City. The balance would be subject to terms agreeable to both parties. Completing this deal as outlined allows the City to work with our Team Springfield partner to ensure that all elements of the Mill Race Path and downtown trailhead are complete through the City’s current Stormwater Park Project. This will provide an asset to attract more visitors to the downtown core in the near term, and allow the City to preserve valuable right of way necessary to support future development growth in the Jasper-Natron area. If Council agrees that exchanging construction fee costs of the Willamalane portions of the Mill Race Stormwater Facility for the City’s interest in the Weyerhaeuser Haul Road, staff will finalize complete negotiations and finalize the price and terms for City acquisition of the future right of way and bring the agreement back to Council for review and approval. (Spr U G B ) Attachment 1, Page 1 of 2 (Spr U G B ) Attachment 1, Page 2 of 2