Town profit is $20,000 in Hedlins property sale

Ken Stern | Mar 31, 20210

Update and corrections in April 7 issue.

The Town of La Conner signed papers to sell the Hedlins Ballfield property for $800,000 on March 2 and will gross perhaps $20,000 on its purchase. It looks like the Town did not spend taxpayers dollars to buy the property. Mayor Ramon Hayes signed a purchase and sale agreement without the Town apparently ever owning the acreage. The agreement with the buyer, represented by Mountain Pacific Bank loan officer Frank Jeretzky, was “contingent on Seller’s exercise of its Purchase Option of the Property.” Papers are in the March 9 Town Council packet and were approved by Council that evening.

The Town signed an agreement to sell before exercising its “Purchase Option of the Property” to buy. The wisest use of taxpayers dollars is not to spend them at all. This month La Conner’s government appears to have done just that.

The first Town cost was 2020’s $37,000 purchase option to hold the property. The selling price was $662,000, with additional fees and closing costs of $23,858, That makes the total purchase price $722,858.

The Town estimates $56,340 in selling costs, with $40,000 to Dick Nord, the listing agent. The Town’s total cost to buy and sell the Hedlins property is $779,198. All figures were provided by Town Administrator Scott Thomas.

Landed Gentry Homes, represented by Mountain Bank, will pay $800,000 with plans to build 10 single family homes.

La Conner grosses $20,802, not counting, Thomas wrote in an email, $10,000 in staff time in the last year. Taking staff costs into account, the Town’s net profit will be some $10,000.

The Town sold 70% of the almost two acre Maple Avenue parcel, keeping 24,000 square feet for a new park, a key part of the deal. The value of that piece, at the northwest corner at Talbott has not been calculated. Its worth: priceless.

New park on Maple starting to take shape

New wrinkles were introduced last week for the major facelift planned later

The Town Council and Parks Commission each held meetings addressing future concepts for the nearly two-acre Maple Avenue site, which for decades has served as the community’s primary youth sports venue.

The Council on Friday approved eight addenda items for the property’s 10 lots designated for residential construction following spring’s youth baseball season.

Town Administrator Scott Thomas termed the unanimous 3-0 Council action a “cleanup matter,” with the most significant modification being a revision to the residential layout allowing easier access from Maple Avenue.

Rather than placing two rows of five houses on the 70 per cent of the ballfield area it will buy, Gentry Landed Homes unveiled a concept placing four homes along Maple Avenue with six houses behind them.

That format, builder Brian Gentry said, would result in two clusters of five houses in a 2-3 configuration.

“It creates a better sense of community,” Gentry explained.

Councilmembers Jacques Brunisholz, John Leaver and Mary Wohleb approved the amended residential plan. Members Bill Stokes and MaryLee Chamberlain were absent from the special Friday afternoon session, which lasted just 20 minutes.

“We’re one step closer,” Mayor Ramon Hayes said afterward, “to putting all the necessary pieces in place.”

– Bill Reynolds

Public discusses green space for new park

Councilmember Mary Wohleb and Parks Commissioner Ollie Iversen hosted a 90 minute public meeting on Zoom last Wednesday, March 24, to consider plans for the 30 per cent of the property set aside for public use. Some 15 people participated, including Town officials and staff along with residents.

An open, multi-purpose green space, perhaps accommodating t-ball play, dog running or a community garden was emphasized over basketball and pickleball courts and playground equipment. A plan to that effect was reviewed last summer by the parks commission.

Discussion during the last half hour emphasized green space, both as a field and to have a line of trees, not a fence, at the property line with the development. Catey Ritchie first called for a row of trees as a natural barrier and a “landscaping vision” perspective. Hayes quickly endorsed that.

“One main point,” Mike Ritchie later summarized, “was collaborating with the builder. Especially with the dividing line between the two properties.”

Near the end Catie Ritchie brought up the naming of the park, suggesting the Hedlins be asked. Hayes replied that was an early discussion with the family and that they were positive about it. Jules Riske replied that they wanted to discuss it among the Hedlins.

Iversen’s observation, “tonight is not a night for decisions, it is an input night,” foretells the survey the parks commission will send out for information gathering. He noted the commission would have oversight.

In her closing remarks, Wohleb again emphasized that the “first step in the process is gathering information. She estimated it “will take a couple of months to design a survey and get it out.” She recognized the need for an open process and getting everyone involved.

Wohleb said the level of interest and energy expressed and people’s desire to be involved impressed and excited her.

– Ken Stern