RICHLAND Richland had to turn down $1.3 million from the state to help preserve 150 acres of ridgetop on Little Badger Mountain because negotiations with the property owner fell through, a city official said.
"It's over, darn," said Phil Pinard, planning and capital projects manager for Richland's Parks and Recreation Department. "It's hard to give up when you do so well on your application."
The city had submitted the proposal for funding to the state and was planning to match money raised by Friends of Badger Mountain so the nonprofit could try to purchase the land. Both the House and Senate budget proposals included $1.3 million for Richland's Parks and Recreation Department.
But the combined funding wouldn't have been enough to meet the landowner's asking price of $5 million, and Richland developer Milo Bauder might not have been willing to sell now anyway, Pinard said.
"It was kind of a long shot to start with," said Pinard, who told the Herald that the city had turned down the proposed state money. "There was never an agreement on the price."
Bauder wouldn't comment on if the land was for sale, the asking price or any negotiations between him and the city or Friends of Badger Mountain, a nonprofit group working to preserve Tri-City area ridgetops.
Sharon Grant, of Friends of Badger Mountain, said the group and a city official were going to try to negotiate with Bauder one more time on Friday, but Grant and city officials did not return messages left by the Herald on Friday afternoon.
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Richland planners back Falconcrest
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The Richland Planning Commission in a 4-0 vote Wednesday recommended that the city council approve a new proposal for the ridge of Little Badger Mountain.
There was some question whether a vote by only four members of the nine-member commission was valid, but commissioners were assured because five members were present, the vote was OK.
Commissioners Clifford Clark, Mary Jo Coblentz and Stanley Jones were absent from Wednesday's meeting, and Debbie Burkowitz recused herself from voting on the preliminary plat for Falconcrest, a new development proposed by Milo Bauder to replace previous plans for The Crest development.
Developer pitches redo with Falconcrest project in Richland
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RICHLAND -- With a new version of Dallas headed to TV in 2012, perhaps it was only a matter of time before fellow '80s primetime soap Falcon Crest also made a comeback.
Only the Falconcrest soon to be talked about by Richland residents is not a TV show or a movie reboot -- it's a new housing subdivision proposed by developer Milo Bauder for the slopes of what locally is known as the saddle of Badger Mountain.
The Richland Planning Commission tonightwill consider Bauder's proposal for a preliminary plat for Falconcrest, which takes the place of a former application he submitted for The Crest development on the same parcel.
Richland developer pitches redo of project
Richland developer pitches redo of project
With a new version of Dallas headed to TV in 2012, perhaps it was only a matter of time before fellow '80s primetime soap Falcon Crest also made a comeback.
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Richland is trying to find the money to build an estimated $30 million bridge across the Yakima River to relieve congestion on Interstate 182.
Richland Mayor John Fox said the proposed bridge is the city's top priority.
City Councilman Phillip Lemley will meet with Sen. Jerome Delvin, R-Richland, Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, and Sen. Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, in Olympia today to discuss state funding for the project.
Candy Mountain trail proposed
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Thousands of hikers who trek up Badger Mountain might have a new, nearby hill to climb.
Two private property owners plan to create a public trail for hikers and horseback riders on the peak next to Badger Mountain.
Mark L. Ufkes of Seattle and Robert Margulies of Richland say they are interested in developing some of their property while still protecting the environment and the contour of Candy Mountain.
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