Over the past couple of years, our group has gained a good foothold in the Open Space circles. So we have made great strides towards securing possible funding for an open space addition for the remaining properties or even a "pocket" park at the north end. The problem that we are running up against is the steep acquisition price that the Mennonite Church is asking for the property now.

Two years ago, they paid $550,000 for the parcel that they would like to develope. The current buy-out price is between $900,000 and $950,000. The TOPS program will help us with a trail and other properties. However, everyone knows how much extra the church is asking for the land and nobody wants to set a precedent of being held up for ransom. I have been told that this kind of price raise has not occurred anyplace else in the state. So we have been searching for alternative sources that would allow for a buyout and avoid a really messy City Planning Battle with the church.

One possible source of money is the Federal Highway Authority's Park and Ride program. The Union/Austin Bluffs area is slated for a park and ride facitity. The City has $650,000 budgeted just for the land. That is a significant step towards getting the $950,000 that is needed to prevent a battle with the church. The 100 parking spaces is about the same size as the church lot, but the 22,500 sq. ft. building would not be sitting right on top of the trail. Access would be on the south end by Collegiate Drive.

The City has asked CH2M Hill to do the feasibility study and see if a project like this could work on the corner. We have asked for the same open space, neighborhood and traffic requirements that we think would be fair for the church to provide. The results of the study will not be available until late in the summer. It might not end up being better for the neighborhood, but Steve would live right next to the Park and Ride and likes the way parts of it would fit.

As more details become available, we will be sure to let you know if anything like this would even be remotely possible. Then we can all get together and discuss the positive and negative aspects of the various proposals. Feel free to give me a call with any questions you have about the Union Meadows open space project.

Scot