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Home My WebLink AboutCAP 2011-09-26 Item 2B - Update - Duwamish Hill Preserve Open Space AcquisitionCity of Tukwila Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Community Affairs and Parks Committee FROM: Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director DATE: September 21, 2011 SUBJECT: Duwamish Hill Preserve ISSUE Update on Duwamish Hill Preserve Open Space Acquisition. BACKGROUND The Duwamish Hill Preserve (DHP) is the highest priority capital project listed in the Parks, Recreation and Open Space plan. In May, I presented an overview of accomplishments along with future acquisition and development plans. This memo is intended to update the City Council of acquisition plans for the site. Presently, DHP is an 8.6 acre property that features one of Tukwila's most culturally and geographically significant open space resources in the region. Phase I development was completed through a joint effort between the City and the Cascade Land Conservancy. Phase 11 included further development within the 8.6 acres the City currently owns. The owner of the property adjacent to the DHP has recently placed his property on the market for sale. The property would expand opportunities for Phase II development and would enable the City to develop the property according to the DHP Master Plan rather than just developing the property currently owned by the City. The Friends of the Hill and many residents have requested that the City delay further development and focus on acquiring the adjacent property for the future development of Phase 11. DISCUSSION The City applied for a King County Conservation Futures grant in the amount of $500,000 this past spring for the acquisition of the 1.9 -acre parcel to the west of the DHP. The City was recommended the award of $250,000 (half of the request) which will be awarded in 2012. The grant request requires a match of $250,000; this match was allocated in the 2011 CIP and will need to be rolled over to 2012. An additional $500,000 is needed to purchase the 1.9 acre parcel along with an additional (estimated) $50,000 for required appraisals, legal, and other fees. At this time, a $75,000 grant application has been submitted to 4Culture for a Heritage Cultural Facilities grant. Additionally, staff is planning to submit an application to the King Conservation District for approximately $80,000 in February 2012. A match is not required for either of these grants, although it is encouraged. If each grant is awarded a total of $395,000 would still be needed to complete the purchase of the 1.9 acre parcel. Note that all three grants can be dismissed by City Council and application for the grant does not require acceptance by the City. 9 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 2 RECOMMENDATION Information Only. Amendment of the CIP will come before the Council as part of the standard annual process. ATTACHMENTS 2011 2016 CIP page 49 Duwamish Hill Preserve Grants Summary Sheet Duwamish Hill Preserve Phase II Design Draft WA2011 Info Mennos\DuwannishHill9 26 11.doc 4 CITY OF TUKWILA CAPITAL PROJECT SUMMARY 2011 to 2016 PROJECT: Duwamish Hill Preserve Project No. 90330109 Land development for this 8.6 acre parcel will preserve open space and allow future restoration for this passive DESCRIPTION: public park at 3800 S 115 St. (Previously known as Duwamish Riverbend Hill, Poverty Hill and Grandmother's Hill.) JUSTIFICATION: Meets the Parks and Open Space Plan providing cultural and historical value along the City's shoreline. Phase I development began in 2008 and was completed in 2010. In 2011, volunteers and staff will continue to seed and plant various areas to enhance the preserve; consultants will perform historical and environmental STATUS: evaluations from the balance of the STA mitigation funds. Staff will seek grant funds in a partnering effort with the Cascade Land Conservancy and the Friends of the Hill citizen's group for acquisition and development of Phase II. A donation of 209' of riverfront property is expected in 2011. MAINT. IMPACT: Phase II is on Park Impact Fee list for $2 million with an 80 %/20% split. Sound Transit mitigation of $313k for COMMENT: construction site. Grant for $220,000 from Recreation Conservation Office (RCO). Future grants from RCO, King Conservation District, and more with REET funds as a match. FINANCIAL Through Estimated (in $000's) 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 BEYOND TOTAL EXPENSES Design 216 14 25 25 200 480 Land (R /W) 975 1,000 450 2,425 Const. Mgmt. 607 607 Construction 18 158 25 25 25 4,050 4,301 TOTAL EXPENSES 1,209 172 50 50 1,025 0 0 0 5,307 7,813 FUND SOURCES Awarded Grant 1,155 1,155 Proposed Grant 750 1,400 2,150 Mitigation 313 313 Park Impact Fees 93 93 Park Impact Fees Expected 15 93 25 25 70 70 70 1,282 1,650 REET 1 (1st Qtr Percent) (259) 64 (43) 25 250 (70) (70) (70) 2,625 2,452 TOTAL SOURCES 1,209 172 50 50 1,025 0 0 0 5,307 7,813 Project Location "v 4 f ss� 2011 2016 Capital Improvement Program 49 11 GIS DUWAMISH HILL PRESERVE 2oii Grant Applications Summary as of 9/21/11 Kina Countv Conservation Futures The Conservation Futures tax (CFT) levy is a portion of the property taxes collected throughout King County, and is dedicated to the purchase of rural and urban open space. By Ordinance 14717, the CFT Citizens Committee is directed to conduct an annual review of applications for CFT funds, and to make recommendations to the King County Council and Executive on the expenditure of the funds. King County then approves the project funding as part of King County's annual budget. CFT projects must have a dollar -for- dollar matching funds to help leverage the benefits of the program. There is an estimated $7,765,000 in fiscal year 2012 CFT collections available for distribution. Applications were submitted in mid- March 2011 and reviewed by the CFT Citizen's Committee and recommendations were made. Below is information regarding Tukwila's request and the recommendation set for by the CFT Committee: Tukwila Duwamish Hill Preserve Addition Requested: 500,00o Recommended 250,000 Recommendation: This 2- parcel, 1.9 -acre open space acquisition project is located on South 115 Street, near East Marginal Way in Tukwila. The purpose of the acquisition is to establish a buffer between the 8 -acre Duwamish Hill Preserve and adjacent industrial and commercial uses. The Preserve is on a small hill overlooking the Green River, just south of the Seattle border, near Boeing Field and Interstate 5. The Preserve has important regional cultural significance. It was a sacred site for the Duwamish Tribe, and it s about a half mile upriver from the culturally important North Wind Weir site. The Duwamish Hill Preserve offers scenic views along the Green River and also southward towards Tukwila. The proposed acquisition is identified in the city's adopted Parks Master Plan. The main parcel in this application is a flat piece of open land adjacent to the preserve that is currently being used to store cranes and other industrial equipment. A schematic plan for the future Preserve shows how this property could be re- planted with trees to visually buffer the preserve from the industrial area to the west. This buffer would add to the quality of the experience of the open space. In the past five years, Tukwila has done an admirable job overseeing restoration of the site, with the help of many dedicated volunteers. A second, smaller parcel between 115 South and the Green River is also included in the application. It is a narrow strip of land between the road and the river, with about 80o feet of riverbank. It might be possible to restore and improve riparian habitat on the river, including moving the road further way from the river some time off into the future. Tukwila has 5512,000 in local matching funds for this phase. It is also seeking grants from the State of Washington and King Conservation District. There is more appraisal work to do to determine the property value. Tukwila has not applied for or received significant CFT funds in recent years. The recommended contribution to this project by CFT is a reasonable level, given the level of information currently available about the property value. Kina Conservation District The King Conservation District, through a local assessment, awards grants for projects that improve the conditions of natural resources, provide education and outreach to increase awareness, build capacity to enhance implementation of natural resource improvement projects and implement pilot demonstration projects. A match is not necessary but it is encouraged. Currently, there is approximately s61,5oo available for City of Tukwila projects and an estimated s8o,000 will be available in February 2012. &Culture Heritaae Cultural Facilities Heritage Cultural Facilities funds the purchase, design, construction, and remodeling of heritage facilities, and equipment acquisition. Every award from this annual program helps the heritage community enhance the quality of life in King County, and create an authentic sense of place for residents and visitors in this rapidly changing region. 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