As most of you know, the city is currently considering the purchase of the Westhaven Golf Course to convert it into a wetland and allow for water retention on the west side/Sawyer Creek. On the surface, it seems like a good idea. The down side is what isn't widely known at this point. Most of the numbers I am seeing are not set in stone but are close enough to give the public an idea what is being considered.
The current estimate for this project is about $16 million (includes Armory portion). $3 million for the purchase of the course and the rest for the conversion and modifications for retention. On paper, it looks like a beautiful plan. It is what lies beneath that I am having a bit of heartburn over.
This deal is a great scenario for the current owner. He wants to retire/get out of the golf business and the city wants to buy it. Seems like a win/win situation. The catch is that there are covenants for that subdivision that guarantee to the residents of Westhaven that the space cannot be developed for a period of 25 years. Most of that area still has several years left on that agreement. That being the case, there is a significant restriction on the uses for that land. The owner would get somewhere in the ballpark of $3 million for the property (approximately double its assessed value) and the city will spend approximately $12 million more to convert it to handle run off.
I don't see that this is such a good use for the property. Jonathan Krause has a good idea but I don't see the current owner settling for $1.5 million in a private sale instead of the $3 million that the city will pay.
Now keep in mind that I have no dog in this fight. My property is not close enough to have any impact on what is taking place. As a matter of fact, my neighbors on Ruschfield will actually benefit from the ability to retain water downstream rather in their backyards. The city has already spent some money acquiring property along the Creek to alleviate future flooding issues. And although I am not an engineer, it doesn't take a degree to see what the bottlenecks are along Sawyer Creek. One of them is the 9th Avenue bridge by Mercy Hospital. It creates a backup every year. I think the city realized that when they did Oakwood because that bridge has a wider opening allowing for better water flow.
I know that something needs to be done as this area grows. Caseys Meadow is being developed and more water retention is a must. Is this the best course? You be the judge...
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5 comments:
The purchase of the golf course solves issuses on 2 watersheds,
Campbell Creek and Sawyer Creek. Campbell Creek drainage is not as visible because the city and developers have attempted to drain this watershed underground under HWY 41 though South Park ETC. Developers of Westhaven and points west did not address the natural flow of ground water creating problems. Now the city have no choice but to try to find a solution for past mistakes.
The current proposal is to alleviate problems in the Campbell Creek basin. NOT the SAWYER basin.
If I recall right the land bought along Sawyer Creek was bought for 141,000 dollars and buildable land in trade for this undevelopable marsh land. Maybe you know more than me but I never heard of any plans to use the area to relieve flooding. The only thing I have seen done is the addition of walking trails. The fact that the city would consider purchasing this property for 2 times its value is foolish. The taxes being paid on this property currently based on tha city website is about that of about 5 houses in that area. If it is sold to a developer the city could merely require the additional drainage in this area as part of the development. Without proper drainage they would have flooding problems just as the area does during high saturation periods currently. Look at Caseys Meadows they have ponds as part of their development. Maybe the could move the deer from the armory area to this new nature area?
Gee what a solution... the deer get to go back to their orginial home.
Sounds like a "homecoming party" to me.
Let's get it started ASAP
The city's presentation showed pictures of Josslyn street totally flooded near Lourdes.
Since they installed the new street, parts of Josslyn, Taft, Baumann, allthese areas flood worse even with just a common downpour. Prior to the new street construction and prior to the changes made in the ground water flow through the complex flooding was not as prominent.
How can the golf course project help these flooding issues right next to Campbell creek?
How can the Westhaven golf course filter the water drained from the University Complex directly into Campbell creek or directly into the river. The ground water filled with fertilizers and other human contaminates.
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