SPOKANE, Wash. — The dozens of acres of forest near Thorpe Road in southwest Spokane could look very different soon.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is considering selling the Thorpe property, also known as the Westwood area, to a property developer that plans to build houses on the land.
A local conservation group is working to protect the nearly 200-acres of land for its overlooks and hiking trails.
Conservationists have partnered with local government officials and neighborhood associations to preserve the area, but they will also need to come up with the money to buy the land.
“The fact that the Climate Commitment Act passed gives more money for bringing it to local ownership. These kinds of properties have a climate action benefit,” said Jeff Lambert, president of Friends of the Bluffs.
City of Spokane councilmember, Paul Dillon, said he is looking to buy conservation groups time to strategize and fundraise by proposing a resolution in city council to extend the public comment period.
There are also safety concerns with the lack of infrastructure in the area.
“What we need and what the residents have been asking for is a bigger plan for Latah Valley and how this all fits in. That includes development, a fire station, schools and parks,” he said.
Dillon said one of the options on the table is to have Spokane Parks manage the property.
“We’ve certainly been getting a lot of emails from folks that want to see this protected as a conservation area. But really, it comes down to trying to build long-tern and plan for the future,” he said.
The DNR will host a public meeting about the Thorpe property on December 4.
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