EDA to transfer four-acre parcel to City for new Cedar Valley park

The finance committee on motion voted to forward Resolution 2026-40 recommending transfer of roughly four acres of EDA-owned land in the Cedar Valley neighborhood to the City of Winchester for conversion to a municipal park. Jeff, the EDA presenter, said the EDA owns the parcel but always intended it to be city parkland and recommended a single conveyance to simplify operations.

"We've got about 1000000 dollars in reserve money for the programming of that park, so we would partner with Chris when it's time to do that," Jeff said, describing the EDA's budget set aside for park programming. He also noted a recently renovated house on the property "would be incorporated into the park" and could provide storage or support functions. Committee members asked whether the property and any improvements would be tax exempt; presenters said tax-exempt status would apply in either scenario.

Councilors described the site as well-positioned to serve nearby neighborhoods and moved to forward the resolution for action by the full council. The committee recorded the motion, a second and a vote to forward the recommendation; the item will appear on a future Common Council agenda.