This is the final part of a three-part series on the Washington State University Forest. The first segment was an overview of the history of the forest up to the big windstorm of Feb. 17, 2006. Part two dealt with the closure of the forest and Quadrant and WSU’s attempts to come up with a mutually agreed upon plan for development of the forest.

Quadrant came back with yet another proposal in 2009 and a different negotiator from Quadrant, Pete Lymberis, assistant vice-president for the Quadrant Corporation. And again council members reactions were mixed and mad. The public stopped short of a sign waving protest this time. But many people attended and testified at numerous city meetings about the 2009 proposal. Sometimes it was standing room only. Of course the first sticking point, as on the previous proposals that failed, was the loss of a central park full of trees and trails in the middle of the city, whose population went from 7,494 in 1990 and has more than doubled to 17,374 with annexations of Eastown, the ridge above Kelley Farm and all the other neighborhoods that were not even built yet on that 1987 Chamber of Commerce map I mentioned in part one. Another differing point of view was the density of homes with narrow streets that hamper emergency response. Sewer capacity was questioned. There was a tug of war about a YMCA or a community center. Another big sticking point was traffic impacts, especially on SR 410. The plan called for a traffic light between 208th and 198th/South Prairie Road intersection. The outcry was Bonney Lake doesn’t want to be another South Hill.

In a letter from then governor Christine Gregoire dated Aug. 8, 2006, she reiterated Washington state Department of Transportation’s position established in a previous e-mail to the city “Currently, traffic lights at South Prairie Road and 208th are little more than a half-mile apart. Adding an additional light, where existing traffic signals already are fairly close together, could slow traffic even more. Safety also is a factor. Adding a signal at that location would entail removing existing concrete barriers, which could increase the possibility of injury accidents.”

In the meantime, MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital was anxious to build their Medical Office Building so they could avoid renewing their lease on the Woodcreek building and expand into a larger space within the city. This new building created construction jobs and more jobs added due to the larger space than the original clinic. The building is the first constructed in the forest. The entrance is off of South Prairie Road. It is an asset to have medical services on the plateau and the jobs the facility provides.

The Courier-Herald determined the WSU Forest development agreement was the No. 4 story in 2009. It said: WSU Forest development agreement The Bonney Lake City Council voted 6-1 to approve a development agreement between the city, Washington State University and Weyerhaeuser for more than 150 acres of land south of state Route 410 between South Prairie Road and 214th Avenue East. Council members voted 4-3 earlier at the Dec. 22 meeting against the agreement, but later approved the agreement after agreeing not to have a traffic signal at 204th Avenue and 410. Some residents voiced their opposition during a public hearing hosted by the council and Planning Commission. Bonney Lake Mayor Neil Johnson announced June 19 the city, Washington State University and Weyerhaeuser planned to develop the 150-acre property to meet a variety of community goals. The acreage dedicated to the city would include 35 acres of trees/open space, five acres for buffer/trails, two acres for a park and five for a future YMCA with a pool. Quadrant, on behalf of WSU and Weyerhaeuser, submitted an application to begin the process for seeking approval of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment and rezone for the former Demonstration Forest. The university owned the property since 1941 when it was deeded to WSU by Weyerhaeuser for a Demonstration Forest. The deed included a clause that would return the property to Weyerhaeuser if WSU decided to use the land for other purposes. WSU and Weyerhaeuser agreed to pursue the necessary land-use entitlements needed to gain project approval. When approved, certain identified lands will be dedicated to the city and the remainder of property will be offered for sale. Quadrant served as agent for the redevelopment plan.

I was the one no vote. I wanted the central park to remain entirely public facilities. I didn’t want to be South Hill. I didn’t like the 5-9 homes per acre density. I wanted a YMCA or community center. I wanted to walk in the woods on a hot summer day with my dog and it would be cool and quiet, an oasis in the city. I wanted to watch the birds in the tree canopy. I thought other parts of the city, like Eastown, Cedargrove, Cedarview and others, should be in line first for sewer. And I thought that is what I heard all those people who live here on the plateau and took the time to come to meetings and speak their voice said to me. I was people driven.

In June 2010, the city accepted the deed to the 40-acre park from Weyerhaeuser and Washington State University. It is to become a park with something for everyone.

In July 2010, council members Jim Rackley, Donn Lewis and Randy McKibbon represented the council at the groundbreaking for the new MultiCare facility. The old facility sits virtually empty on the north side of SR 410, much like the now empty Albertson’s across the street. Rackley said “the new medical building was as important to the city as the new Interim Justice Center being built in the downtown section of the city.”

“This completes a circle of businesses and services that a city needs,” Rackley said after the ceremony. “It’s just another stage of us becoming a city.”

Bonney Lake Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lora Butterfield agreed.

“I think it’s going to be a real boost to the community, the business community especially,” she said.

The agreement allowed for the reopening of the forest until development happens. The park land owned by the city has been named Midtown Park. During Park Appreciation Day April 20 and Beautify Bonney Lake Sept. 21 volunteers pick up litter and clear trails in the forest. The trailhead is between Fred Meyer and the Regal Cinemas. There are trails to be used. Use them while you can! Be a volunteer. Visit the city website for details or call Gary Leaf at 253-447-3282. Plants have been salvaged for the native plant sales in areas that are to be developed through Pierce Conservation District 253-845-9770. Call them if you are interested in harvesting or purchasing native plants.

Albertson’s, the next door neighbor of the WSU Forest is now closed. Some think it should be used as a bowling alley, a fun center, a community center. As of the time I wrote this column, Feb. 17, the anniversary of the big wind, the city has not issued any permits for remodeling. Some have suggested the city put a community center there. That would take funds the city does not have budgeted for a community center or to develop Midtown Park. The City Council has given the voters the opportunity to put a metropolitan park district in place to generate revenue dedicated to parks on the April 23, 2013 ballot. There is an information page set up on the city website or call Gary Leaf 253-447-3282.