Officials in Bonney Lake are working to clean up and re-open the Washington State University demonstration forest in a matter of months, now that all parties have signed a development agreement for the area.
The finalization of the land deal also ensures a YMCA will come to the plateau, though not for several years, a YMCA spokeswoman said.
The Bonney Lake City Council approved the development agreement Dec. 22, with a few amendments. It took officials with Washington State University and Weyerhaeuser, who jointly own the 147-acre forest, until late December to OK the City Council’s changes.
The development agreement will give about 47 acres of the forest to the city for public use, while building 65 acres of homes and 35 acres of retail offices over the remaining land.
Bonney Lake officials plan to build ballparks and a YMCA on their portion of the property.
The agreement also allows Bonney Lake to temporarily re-open the forest, which has been closed to the public since 2006.
Bonney Lake Mayor Neil Johnson said he’d like to see the forest open again by spring.
“Apparently it’s pretty messy in there,” Johnson said. “We also need to put the proper signs up. If we can at least get it cleaned up by February or March, that will be something.”
John Vodopich, Bonney Lake’s community development director, said city staff is working to assess how much cleanup is needed. Some problems include fallen branches blocking the walking trails as well as trash, he said.
“I was quite honestly surprised by the amount of garbage in there,” Vodopich said.
Until the forest’s closure 31/2 years ago, Bonney Lake residents used its trails for biking, walking and other recreation.
City officials intend to donate some of the forest land to the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties for a new YMCA. With the land deal complete, plans for the facility can move forward, YMCA spokeswoman Michelle LaRue said.
“There’s no doubt now it’s going to happen,” LaRue said. “Now we’re just looking at funding options.”
YMCA officials aim to open a Bonney Lake facility in 2018, but it could happen sooner if there’s enough financial support, she said.
Pete Lymberis, senior development manager for Quadrant Corp., said that WSU and Weyerhaeuser are happy to have the development agreement complete. Quadrant has represented both WSU and Weyerhaeuser during negotiations with Bonney Lake.
In today’s economy, it’s hard to say when housing construction will begin, Lymberis said.
On the commercial part of the site, Weyerhaueser has already applied to build infrastructure to support a medical office building, he said.
Once development is under way, parts of the forest will no longer be open to public access, Lymberis said, but other parts can remain in use.
Melissa Santos: 253-552-7058
melissa.santos@thenewstribune.com
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