County mulls land sale to ML schools

EPHRATA — The Grant County Commission on Tuesday unanimously declared 57 acres east of the county fairgrounds “surplus land” as it considers selling the parcel to the Moses Lake School District.

“We’ve made an offer and we’re waiting for the county to look at it make a counteroffer,” said Moses Lake Schools Superintendent Michelle Price after the commission’s vote.

The Moses Lakes schools are currently preparing for an early February vote on a proposed $135 million bond initiated to build a new high school, another new elementary school, and upgrade the current high school.

Price told the county commissioners that the district believes the 57 acre site at the corner of West Valley and Paxton is a good location for the district’s proposed second high school, would lead to lower transportation costs, and would allow the school district to expand its agricultural education and FFA programs through a partnership with the county to utilize the fairgrounds.

“It’s a win-win for agriculture and taxpayers,” she said.

Former fair board member Mary Harrington spoke in favor of a deal between Grant County and the Moses Lake School District.

“That part of the fairgrounds was just a waste,” Harrington told commissioners. “This is the greatest news I’ve ever heard.”

The declaration by the county commissioners is the first step in any potential land sale. As of today, the county still owns the 57 acres in question.

Price said the land deal with the county, which will force relocation of the Moses Lake Gun Club, will likely take place whether district voters approve the bond or not, given that the district is looking for land on which to build new schools.

“The offer to buy is not contingent on the bond passing,” Price said.

Because of the slope of the land in question, the district has looked at several possible designs for a new high school which cluster school buildings on the southeast corner of the parcel.