By Dennis Box, The Courier Herald

The Bonney Lake City Council has decided the future is now. On March 9, during the executive session, the Council agreed to purchase 13 acres of land for $1.13 million from T&S Properties L.L.C., a land and development company owned by Tim and Scott Corliss.

The acreage spans the area between state Route 410 and Sumner-Buckley Highway adjoining the Target store site along its western border.

The plan is to build a new city hall, a couple of multipurpose ball fields and to bring another portion of Fennel Creek under the city's purview.

"This is a wonderful deal," Councilman Jim Rackley said. "We have to thank Scott Corliss for giving us a super deal, plus we are going to have that section of Fennel Creek."

A strong impetus to closing the deal for Councilman Mark Hamilton was the issue of the environmentally sensitive Fennel Creek area which runs along the western edge of the property.

"There was more to our madness than just putting up City Hall," Hamilton said. "What attracted the property to me was protecting the Fennel Creek area. It gives us the opportunity to pull that land away from commercial development."

While all concerned felt the purchase was a very good deal which the city was able to pick up at half the market value, Councilman Dan Swatman voted against the purchase.

"I have no problem with buying the land. Corliss made us a great deal," Swatman said. "But I have a huge problem making a commitment for a $10 million-plus project without public input."

The deal is contingent upon the city beginning the process of building a city hall on the site in five years. If the city hall project is not started within that time frame, T&S Properties has the option to buy the property back.

"I'm very happy the Corliss' have been able to help us out. They've been a big part of the development of the city," Swatman said. "I'm concerned with the clause to start building a city hall (on the site) within five years. The planning and design departments have pointed us to the top of the hill to build City Hall. We need public comment on that."

The new City Hall is planned at 40,000 square feet with part of the space to be leased out to offset some of the construction costs.

Other funds will likely be raised by the sale of bonds.

"We've all know the need for a new city hall for a long time," Rackley said. "When we could get the land for half its real value we had to say OK. It takes many dollars off the pile."

Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com