09/18/2008: "Farmer’s Market, Town & Land Bank Do Not Join Forces"

The Land Bank has agreed to a proposal from the Agricultural Guild (Guild) to assist in the purchase of the Erickson property in downtown Friday Harbor.

Land Bank Director Lincoln Bormann told the County Council that having been approached by the Guild to help purchase the land with the “Friday Harbor Brick and Tile” building on it, the land Bank went to the County Council seeking permission to add the project to their budget.

The building was constructed in 1920, and is considered to be a historical structure by the Land Bank.

The Council was told the Land Bank’s role is to purchase both a Historical and a Preservation easement to “keep a portion of this property open to preserve a green space and to preserve a historical structure.”

Bormann said the Land Bank will partner with the Town and the Guild in the purchase. The Land Bank would extend $600,000.00 to the Guild, the Town would contribute $400,000.00. The Agricultural Guild is “to reimburse at some point, under contract, the Land Bank $200,000.00 dollars.” This would result in an end cost to the Land Bank of $400,000.00 dollars.

The Town however is showing little to no interest in the project. When asked to what extent the Town would be involved, Mayor Jones said he had informed Bormann that the Town would not be involved. Jones said the purchase price was too high; and in any case the Town was involved in major capital expenditures for infrastructure improvements.

Bormann said “this project is far from certain at this point. The Guild is still undertaking a feasibility study to determine if this site will work for them.” Bormann said if the Guild decides the property would serve their purpose, the sale will take place before the end of 2008.

Bob Myhr asked if parking spaces would be eliminated, and was told they would be. Currently there is parking for approximately 25 cars.

The Council approved the change in the Land Bank budget.