WALLA WALLA, Wash.-Walla Walla Community College has acquired land adjacent to its main campus for future expansion.
WWCC announced the 43.3 acre purchase on Sept. 24. The college also received permission to purchase an additional 29.6 acres in the future, according to a press release on the land.
The Klicker family had been in talks with WWCC since last year on the possibility of a land sale and WWCC’s Board of Trustees approved the purchase in July, with an option to purchase an additional 29.6 acres following environmental remediation.
“The roots of our family in this valley date back to the 1860s and WWCC sits on land that was once owned by our family,” said Kirk Klicker, Manager of Klicker Strawberry Properties, LLC. “We are honored that the history of the Klicker family is inextricably linked with the history of the college that means so much to our community.”
WWCC paid $1.5 million for the 43 acre parcel, with the price of the second parcel to be $1.25 million, according to today’s press release.
“In the short term, this land will be used by our agricultural education programs, including expanding and enhancing our Farm to Fork initiative,” said WWCC Board Chair Tara Leer. “In the long term, this is a strategic investment that will allow for WWCC campus expansion, student housing or other yet-to-be-identified purposes.”