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The city is examining the possibility of resurrecting a deal to purchase 4.5 acres belonging to KBLX Radio for an addition to Aquatic Park. 

The recommendation came from Councilmembers Margaret Breland, Kriss Worthington, and Linda Maio. The council unanimously approved the item Dec. 19 which calls for preliminary research of available funds to purchase the property. 

The site is located at the southern end of Aquatic Park and is bounded by the Ashby Avenue onramp, Bay Street and the I-80 Freeway. It consists of 3.5 acres of open water and one acre of land. KBLX currently broadcasts from the site. 

The city has applied several times in the last six years for grant money to purchase the property but each time was unsuccessful. The most recent attempt to purchase the property was in July 1999. 

At that time the property was appraised at $470,000 according to Cliff Marchetti of the Parks and Waterfront Department. 

According to the councilmembers’ proposal, the recent availability of additional state and federal resources to purchase park lands makes this the ideal time to revive the deal. 

The proposal said the property would be a good site for habitat restoration projects as well a location for environmental education. 

According to Marchetti the city is trying to arrange a meeting with representatives from KBLX to tour the property. “Everything is in a very preliminary stage at this point,” he said. 

The Daily Planet was unable to reach KBLX for comment on this story.