King County buys Cedar River property for $14M, ending decade-long asphalt plant fight
Aug 30, 2026, 6:41 AM
The Cedar River is pictured in King County. An asphalt plant planned next to the river has been scrapped. (Photo courtesy of King County)
(Photo courtesy of King County)
King County has purchased the Cedar River property at the center of a nearly decade-long fight over a proposed asphalt plant, paying $14 million — $2.7 million below its appraised value — for land that could become a crown jewel of the county’s park system.
King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn announced the deal Saturday at the Fairwood 60th Anniversary Celebration, where there was a ceremonial signing and transfer of the deed.
“This is a fight we as a community have been waging for nearly a decade to protect our river, our natural habitats, and our community,” Dunn said. “Today, that fight has finally come to an end, and we can shift our focus from stopping what shouldn’t be to building what should — parks, open spaces, and a place the public can enjoy for generations.”
The battle began in 2017, when Lakeside Industries announced it wanted to build an asphalt plant along SR-169 near the Cedar River. The proposal faced fierce opposition from Dunn and community members. There were concerns about possible pollution of the Cedar River, which, according to Dunn’s office, supplies drinking water to more than 1.6 million people in the greater Seattle area.
Asphalt plant project no longer profitable idea
Eventually, the asphalt plant project was no longer going to be profitable for Lakeside Industries, Dunn told KIRO Newsradio.
“As soon as it became not profitable for them, we swooped in and snatched it very quickly,” Dunn said.
Dunn said the $14 million purchase will come from reserve funds, not new taxes.
“Lakeside Industries deserves enormous credit for coming to the table and negotiating in good faith,” Dunn said. “Now, the future of this property belongs to the community, and I look forward to seeing what residents design for this public space.”
Cedar River property expected to be crown jewel of park system
Dunn told KIRO Newsradio he recently took a walk along the Cedar River property on his own.
“It’s gonna be the kind of thing that future generations are gonna play in and connect with trails and be our crown jewel of our park system,” he said. “I’m very happy about it.”
The county will bring neighborhood stakeholders together to decide what goes on the land, from trails and play structures to wildlife habitat restoration, Dunn said.
KIRO Newsradio has reached out to Lakeside Industries for comment.
