By Casey Steiner

The Courier-Herald

After years of hard work and negotiations, the Department of Social and Health Services has finally taken control of acreage near Rainier School, formerly owned by Washington State University, after a recent legislative measures made the transition official.

"There's been an ownership issue on this for several years," city administrator David Schmidt said. "WSU pumped a bunch of money in there, then abandoned it in the '90s. The city has been trying to gain use, but in order for that to happen, DSHS had to take control."

Now in a very busy season of projects, the city may take a while to move forward on its attempt to take control of the land. Currently working on its Main Street improvement project, a wastewater treatment project, zoning issues, Ryan Road issues, the moving of the fire department and many other projects, the city simply has its hands full and as Schmidt says, these things take time.

"We've got a stack of paper we need to go through documenting what the land might be used for and different ideas we've got for its use. It will take time to develop those ideas and make the initial improvements. It will be part of the waste water treatment project and then some other things down the road."

Casey Steiner can be reached at csteiner@courierherald.com.