Overview
- The 117-acre property will transfer for $1 million, with $13 million in obligations that can be forgiven if project milestones are met.
- Planned uses include green space, a town museum, educational facilities, affordable housing, healthcare and early learning services, plus some retail such as a grocery store.
- Board members cited the cost of further delay, the goal of returning the land to the tax rolls, and warnings that rejecting the plan could jeopardize the partner and invite state control of the surplus site.
- Eatonville’s town council had requested a 90-day delay to prepare its own bid; after the denial, members say they will negotiate details with the nonprofit.
- The structure follows a 2020 appraisal of $24 million and sets timelines requiring core projects within four years and compliance for up to ten years, with the nonprofit saying some land may later be transferred back to the town.