A plan that has been in the works for months – a proposal that would change the look of a grassy parcel of downtown property – is headed for a final decision by the Enumclaw City Council.

Under consideration is the city-owned lot that extends north from the public library, bordered by Railroad Street on the west, First Street on the east and Washington Avenue on the north. The land was once home to railroad tracks but ended up in the city’s hands when the railroad chugged its way into the history books.

The parcel adjacent to the library has remained vacant, except for the seasonal “pea patch” that provided city residents a fenced-in space for small garden plots.

The future of the downtown parcel took a turn earlier this year when ownership from the nearby ThunderDome Car Museum pitched an idea to the city.

In need of parking, ThunderDome’s Troy Thomas volunteered to turn the land into a public parking lot, in exchange for a few considerations. In conjunction with that plan is the thought to use one corner of the lot for a commercial building.

The idea had been discussed previously by members of the council and returned the evening of Nov. 23 in the form of a public hearing. No one commented during the hearing and both items were forwarded to the council’s Dec. 14 agenda for a final vote. It was noted that the public hearing will continue at that session which will have most everyone attending remotely.

During a June meeting, the council had agreed on the parking lot plan and directed City Attorney Mike Reynolds to negotiate a lease that would allow for joint use (public and ThunderDome). The proposal heading to council spells out the following: the parking lot is to be completed by Jan. 1, 2022; ThunderDome “may have exclusive use up to 48 continuous hours, once per week and seven consecutive days once per calendar year,” according to a memo provided to council; except for those times, the parking lot will be available for public use (there is a 12-hour limit on parking and the lot is off-limits between 2 and 6 a.m.).

The pact between the city and ThunderDome has a 50-year lifespan, with a pair of 10-year options.

Simultaneously, the city will consider a ground lease for the northwest corner of the parcel (the intersection of Railroad and Washington). It is identified solely for commercial development.

A public hearing on the lease will be continued on Dec. 14 with a council vote anticipated.

According to the lease agreement being considered, the commercial development could be undertaken by ThunderDome or subleased. Terms of the lease include: a three-year window to get a building constructed; a three-year waiver on lease payments; and the eventual rental amount to be determined by a certified appraiser and adjusted annually.

Like the parking lot arrangement, the commercial property carries a term of 50 years with two 10-year options.