Department of Ecology Has Tiger Marts High on Priority List

A city lobbying trip to Olympia last week could result in state money to help clean up four former Tiger Mart sites around the city of Yakima.

City Manager Tony O'Rourke says Yakima officials met with the Department of Ecology last week hoping to get $1.9 million in state money by 2015. O'Rourke says the city learned good news this week.

It’s the No. 1 project for the Department of Ecology.

O'Rourke says if the Legislature approves the money, major work to clean up the former Tiger Marts will be coming in 2015. The properties are at 56th and Summitview avenues, 24th Avenue and Nob Hill Boulevard, 1808 N. First St.. and 16th Street and East Nob Hill Boulevard. Last year the city purchased the properties from a private seller.

Once the properties are cleaned and restored, O'Rourke is hoping they will be sold to developers who will enhance the areas and create new jobs.