The playground at Cedar Street Park in seen on Wednesday afternoon in Centralia. Centralia College now owns Cedar Street Park after the city council approved a property exchange agreement at Tuesday night’s meeting with an unanimous vote.
The tennis courts along Gold Street — which were previously owned by Centralia College — are seen in this March file photo. The college exchanged property with the city of Centralia for Cedar Street Park, which is adjacent to property owned by the college.
The playground at Cedar Street Park in seen on Wednesday afternoon in Centralia. Centralia College now owns Cedar Street Park after the city council approved a property exchange agreement at Tuesday night’s meeting with an unanimous vote.
Centralia College now owns Cedar Street Park after the city council approved a property exchange agreement at Tuesday night’s meeting with an unanimous vote.
The park, which is adjacent to the college’s campus, will now be maintained by staff at the college.
Steve Ward, the college’s vice president of finance and administration, said Cedar Street Park landed in the middle of the college’s master plan. The college recently purchased parcels north of the park, which it plans to leave as green space. Due to construction projects at the college, the campus has lost some of its green space, and Ward said the park fits with the educational institution’s intent to create more of that on campus.
“Maintaining it as a park fits in nicely with our long term view,” Ward said.
In exchange for the park, the city now owns the old tennis courts located on Gold Street.
The discussion to exchange the two parcels has been underway for quite some time. The college determined it was difficult for its staff to maintain the Gold Street property, while the city struggled to give Cedar Street Park adequate attention, especially during the summertime, due to current staffing levels.
City Manager Rob Hill said the agreement addressed several concerns earlier raised by the city council.
To ease those concerns, the park has to remain in its current state for 10 years. After the 10-year period, the college can request to make changes to the park with approval from the city council. Once 20 years have passed, the college can do whatever it wants with the property.
No restrictions were placed on the Gold Street property now owned by the city.
