Growth and Hedlin property sale reprised

As we continue to confront the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, I think it is safe to say that the La Conner community, as a snapshot of our greater country and world, has been left in a state of purgatory. Even so, the Town moved forward in several areas throughout 2021.

La Conner was blessed to see record sales tax figures accumulated in 2021. I have always said that destination communities such as La Conner are the future of in-person specialty retail. And although, at the peak of the financial fallout of the pandemic, La Conner lost over 10 businesses, we also stood the most to gain as we re-opened to visitors.

The Town has been working to achieve its population goals with the creation of two new subdivisions and construction of infill housing. With extremely well-defined corporate borders, La Conner will always remain one of Washington’s smallest towns. However, it is incumbent upon all of us to manage our lands as efficiently and effectively as possible. No discussion of this topic is complete without another brief discussion of the Hedlin Ballfield transaction.

Although it is technically true to say the Town of La Conner “Sold” the Hedlin Ballfield, it is most accurate to say the Town sold the ballfield on behalf of the Hedlin family.

And although the Hedlins initially desired to retain the entire property as a park, it is also true that the Town could not afford to purchase the property outright.

Therefore, in the early part of 2020, an agreement was struck with the Town and the Hedlins to retain a minimum of 25% of the land as a park in perpetuity and allow the Town of La Conner to create a development plan for the remainder.

The reality is the Town only ever “owned” the Hedlin Ballfield for about 10 minutes in an escrow office in Anacortes.

The Hedlin family allowed the Town to control the property through a one-year option to purchase agreement. If more time were needed to position the property, the Town could exercise a second one-year option. It should be noted that in late 2020, a citizen’s group was developed with the goal of saving the entire ballfield as a park. I told these folks, if they found something new, perhaps a grant opportunity for raw land the Town had missed, I would support them. Nothing new emerged.

In early 2021 the Town of La Conner listed the property for sale, accepted an unsolicited offer and limited the purchaser as to what could be constructed. To give enough time to consummate the deal, the Town exercised its second option.

The Town of La Conner’s main goal through the Hedlin process was to save a portion of parkland which otherwise would have been sold for development.

In 2022, the Town of La Conner will focus on economic recovery and enhancement, increased crime prevention measures, a continued responsible response to the pandemic, exceptional customer service by town staff and planning for future infrastructure needs.

I wish all of you a very prosperous 2022.