The city of Richland plans to sell .3305 acres at 350 Thayer Street behind the Fred Meyer store on Wellsian Way. Inquiries can be directed to the Richland Business and Redevelopment Office. Both the proposed plan and the price offered will be considered, according to Community Development Director Kerwin Jensen.
The federal government gave the land to the city in 1959. Due to inquiries about purchasing the property, the Richland City Council agreed at the April 19 meeting to declare it surplus and available for sale.
“I believe that a number of interested parties has approached Development Services over the last year to 18 months. That is why the recommendation is for public bid,” City Manager Jon Amundson wrote the Observer in an email. Amundson did not name the interested parties.
Councilmember Theresa Richardson attends New Heights Church which is adjacent to the property. She told the Observer at the city council meeting that she was only a member of the large church, and she was unaware of any efforts by New Heights to buy the property. Congregation Beth Shalom borders the other side of the city-owned property.
The land is zoned as low-density residential. However, land just around the corner that was part of Lawless Park until the city sold it in December 2018, was rezoned high-density residential. Townhouses are now being built on the site.
Benton County appraises the one-third acre at $97,130. Two houses across the street are on lots .1478 acre and .1896 acre and the county appraises the land under those at $50,000 each.
The city may not put a sign on the property, according to an email to the Observer from Jensen. Information will be posted on the city’s website and sent via the city’s e-notify system, Jensen said.
*Correction: The article has been corrected to show that the council met on April 19.