The city of Renton announced it will be expanding the Cedar River Park.

At its July 21 meeting, the Renton City Council approved an ordinance to acquire a 12.5-acre property, known as the Stoneway Sand and Gravel site, adjacent to Cedar River Park through eminent domain at the request of the property owner. The acquisition is a part of a long-term plan to expand the footprint of the currently 23-acre park located at 1717 Maple Valley Highway.

In a press release, the city said the space will increase Renton’s recreational opportunities and public access to the river while converting the site from its previous industrial purpose to provide lasting environmental protections to the river and resident salmon.

“Renton City Council views the acquisition of the property as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase this strategically located property that will benefit the entire community for generations to come,” the release said. “Council acted quickly and approved the ordinance enabling the purchase and sale agreement (PSA) to be drafted during the July 14 Council meeting. The PSA will come back to the City Council for final approval in August or September.”

The project meets the city’s business plan goals of providing a “safe, healthy and vibrant community, while fostering environmental sustainability and preservation.” The purchase is driven by goals in the city’s 2006 Tri-Park Master Plan and later reaffirmed in plan updates in 2011 and 2020.

“This property gives us the opportunity to honor commitments made nearly two decades ago, now brought to life through a modern vision shaped by our community’s input,” said Renton Parks and Recreation Administrator Maryjane Van Cleave.

The city describes the acquisition process as a “friendly condemnation” because the eminent domain action was requested by the existing property owner for tax benefits. The city said the process “allows for the procurement of private property for public use through a more collaborative and beneficial approach than formal condemnation proceedings, while paying a fair market value to the property owner.”

The property was previously home to the Stoneway Dock Company in the 1930s before it was converted to Stoneway Sand and Gravel in the 1950s, which used the site for concrete and asphalt manufacturing until October 2002.