Source: The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)
Pierce County has a vision for a world-class golf course and premiere recreation area on the Puget Sound shore - a vision that lies 90 percent within the boundaries of two neighboring cities.
These suburban partners, however, are sharply divided on the plans for Chambers Creek Properties.
The proposed Scottish-links-style golf course fits the high-end image University Place wants.
"It will be all landscaped and green, a very nice thing for University Place," said Mayor Ken Grassi. "We're very gung-ho."
But some in Lakewood are aggravated that sewer funds would pay for a golf course while nearly 5,000 people in their city go without sewer service.
Cost estimates have risen and the golf course has been scaled back. As a result, many in Lakewood are skeptical that a golf course and recreation area built with public money will work.
"When you look at the amount of golf courses that fail every year, it's a risk," Councilwoman Helen McGovern said. "I'm not sure about a government taking on that risk."
The golf course and lodging also might compete with what's already available in Lakewood, according to a city staff report.
Despite the differences, officials in both cities agree on one thing: They aren't going to pay to help make it happen, even though county officials have suggested the cities take care of traffic improvements.
University Place and Lakewood approved the Chambers Creek Properties master plan in 2000. Any additions or changes must be endorsed by both councils.
The Lakewood City Council last week agreed to let the county study adding lodging to the project master plan. But it added a caveat that prohibits the county from raising sewer rates to fund the project or requiring the city to pay for improvements.
"I think sewer funds should be used to fund the extension of sewer service to areas of our community that don't have service," Lakewood Councilman Walter Neary said. "I think rich people can pay for their own golf courses."
transforming a gravel pit
The county's plan is to transform a former gravel pit into a more than 900-acre site featuring a golf course, arboretum, botanical garden, trails and wastewater treatment plant.
Roughly 700 acres are in University Place, just under 200 acres are in Lakewood, and a little less than 80 are in unincorporated Pierce County.
County officials originally proposed an 18-hole golf course, then discussed a 27-hole version estimated to cost between $ 12.7 million and $ 16.9 million. Now, the project has been scaled back to 18 holes while the price tag has grown to $ 17.47 million.
Funding would come from the $ 44.6 million Sewer Utility Fund, which finances the county's sewer maintenance and capital projects. County officials say they don't intend to raise rates to pay for the project.
But they have asked both cities to pay for road improvements on the assumption that they'll benefit financially from the course.
Both cities say they're not going to pay.
"The county is the owner of the project, so it would fall on them," Grassi said.
University park sees benefits
Even so, the University Place City Council unanimously supports the project.
It's scheduled to open about the same time the city plans to unveil its Town Center, and city leaders hope tourists attracted to Chambers Creek Properties will spend their money at the nearby 10-acre retail, housing and office space development.
While a few residents are concerned about traffic and noise spilling into neighborhoods, Grassi predicts the impact will be minimal.
Tee times are usually spread throughout the day so crowds won't be too intense, except for tournaments a few days a year, Grassi said.
"It's a small price to pay, to enjoy the view of it," he said.
lakewood skeptical
Neighboring city officials in Lakewood are a little more cautious - and some openly oppose the plan.
McGovern, the Lakewood councilwoman, said she doesn't want her city to stand in the way of a potential economic boon to University Place and the county, though she doubts it will do the same for Lakewood.
"If the project succeeds, it would be tremendous for them," she said.
But she questions whether Lakewood sewer customers should subsidize the county's project when the county has shot down repeated requests to help pay to extend sewer service to Tillicum/Woodbrook and American Lake Gardens.
County Executive John Ladenburg, the force behind Chambers Creek Properties, has said it wouldn't be fair to raise the rates of all county sewer customers to pay for one part of Lakewood. He said there's greater need for sewer infrastructure in other parts of the county.
worries about competition
Lakewood already has three golf courses - two private and one public, operated by Pierce County - and another might saturate the market, according to a city staff report.
The report also indicates that Chambers Creek might compete with Lakewood's redevelopment plan, which includes three new hotels.
County Councilman Terry Lee (R-Gig Harbor) said he understands Lakewood's hesitance but believes the golf course will bring so much extra tourism, it will carry over to surrounding cities.
He said the quality of this course will bring more golfers to the region, and they'll look to use Lakewood facilities as well. The way he sees it, the courses are so different, there won't be much competition, and there will be an enough visitors to fill hotels throughout the Puget Sound area.
Lee added that the county is only borrowing sewer funds and will pay them back by selling bonds and using golf course revenue to pay off the debt.
Construction on the golf course is scheduled for fall of 2005.
It should open for play in May 2007.