Kenmore Sound

Community · Dec 8, 2025

Kenmore council was scheduled to weigh $6.8M Sammamish River land purchase

In materials published ahead of the Dec. 8, 2025 meeting, the record said the City Council was scheduled to consider authorizing the city manager to sign a purchase agreement for Sammamish River conservation property at a cost of $6.8 million plus closing costs 1.

What the records say

In materials published ahead of the Dec. 8, 2025 meeting, the record said the Kenmore City Council was scheduled to consider authorizing the City Manager to execute Real Estate Purchase Sale Agreement (REPSA) 25-C3196 — a contract to buy land — for Sammamish River conservation property acquisitions in an amount of $6,800,000, along with associated closing costs 1. The agenda bill states the city sought to purchase five properties along the Sammamish River adjacent to ƛ̕ax̌ʷadis Park to conserve as open space, providing over 12 acres of riparian habitat identified as Tier-1 priority Chinook Salmon habitat by Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 8 1. The negotiated sale price was $6,800,000, with closing, demolition, and site stabilization estimated at $255,000 1. The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.

  • The council was scheduled to consider authorizing the City Manager to execute REPSA 25-C3196 for Sammamish River conservation property acquisitions.
  • The proposed purchase amount was $6,800,000, plus $255,000 in closing, demolition, and site stabilization costs.
  • The five properties, adjacent to ƛ̕ax̌ʷadis Park, would provide over 12 acres of riparian habitat identified as Tier-1 priority Chinook Salmon habitat by WRIA 8.
  • King County grants would cover $6,906,250 of the $7,055,000 total, with the city's Surface Water Management Fund paying $148,750.

Why it matters

The purchase would permanently set aside riverside property as conservation open space rather than leaving it open to future development 1. The city's direct cost is modest — $148,750 from the Surface Water Management Fund — because King County grants cover $6,906,250 of the $7,055,000 total 1. Residents near ƛ̕ax̌ʷadis Park and the Sammamish River could see the land preserved, with possible future passive recreation such as trails and interpretive signage 1.

What changed / what's next

  • In pre-meeting materials, the record said the council was scheduled to consider a $6.8 million authorization for Sammamish River conservation land acquisition under agreement 25-C3196 1.
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome; whether the council authorized the purchase, and the final terms or closing details, are not shown in the supplied packet 1.