The city of Bothell has received word that the Richard’s family, owners of the Wayne Golf Course, has declined the city’s offer for the front-nine of the property.

In an email from City Manager Bob Stowe, he stated that the Richards had declined the city’s first offer.

What this means for the property’s future, no one knows.

There’s still the option for another party to come and keep it as a golf course, however the back-nine’s potential developer, an organization affiliated with Bothell Mayor Joshua Freed, wants to build houses while gifting some back to the city for trails connecting Blythe Park to the rest of Bothell.

As for the front-nine, the option to rezone four acres that are not part of the conservation easement will move in front of the council later this year.

According to the City’s Planning and Development site, the city won’t take the issue of rezoning up until at least July 2015, after the city has adopted the 2015 Periodic Plan and Code Update. The amendment request to rezone could take as long as early 2016.

The original plan, as stated by the Richards family, is to rezone the property so that the owners (whether the Richard’s or a developer) can build 76 townhomes and renovate the current clubhouse and restaurant. Though, depending on the offers by potential buyers, the plans may change.

While the family has declined the initial offer, the quest for a new Bothell park is not over, nor is the Richard’s support for the public preservation of the Wayne.

No one from the Richards family has returned the Reporter’s request for comment.

“We are willing to have separate non-exclusive discussions about your possible acquisition of these properties independent of your Right of First Opportunity to Purchase contained in Section 17 of the aforementioned Conservation Easement,” the Richard’s family said in a letter to One Bothell.

OneBothell is a group of Bothell residents attempting to keep the golf course as open space, either as a park or maintained as a golf course.

The Richards family also expressed their support for OneBothell’s attempts to create a public space for all: “We continue to support the city of Bothell’s objective of acquiring these properties for the use and enjoyment of the public. They would be an asset to the community enjoyed by current and future generations.”

The news of the declination of offer was expected, according to Jesse Sears of One Bothell, and it only sets in place the organization’s future efforts.

“We will continue to do everything we can to acquire this land for the public, for recreation, education, and fish and wildlife habitat,” said Sears in an email. “We’ve only been established since Jan. 4, and every week we learn more, get more support from the community and more support from professional organizations.”

For Sears and the One Bothell supporters, the idea of helping the Sammamish River return to a more healthy state is of vital importance.

“This has become a much bigger issue than a Bothell City Council effort. It’s a citizen movement to step up where the city has failed to save the property,” Sears said. “The State is moving ahead to try and provide resources, the Conservation Futures Program [and] other sources, like salmon dollars, are moving forward. Some will take time, but there is still enough time.”

While the first offer was declined, that doesn’t mean there won’t be more offers from the city or from willing conservationists to come and save the Wayne Golf Course for Bothell citizens.

“This week we hope to have willing sellers and a plan which works for the Wayne Golf Course owners,” Sears said.