By Mark A. Weber

Citizens trying to block Hennepin County's sale of 37 acres in Eden Prairie believe they have secured a hoped-for delay.

Terry Picha, who operates a farm next to the so-called Birch Island Woods property, said Tuesday evening that county staff have indicated they will delay the public sale at least until the end of this year so that the city of Eden Prairie can make plans to acquire and preserve the land.

Picha said he expects that a letter formally outlining the postponement will soon be issued by county officials.

That would fall in line with Hennepin County Commissioner Randy Johnson's statement earlier this week. Johnson said Monday that county officials are willing to give the city more time to purchase the Birch Island Woods, which Hennepin has deemed "surplus land" and therefore ripe for sale.

The county would be willing to delay the public sale so Eden Prairie city officials could consider the purchase in their 2001 budget, Johnson said.

Spurred by concerned residents, Eden Prairie city officials last fall formally asked the Hennepin County Board to postpone that land sale for two years while the city searched for grant money and other funds to purchase and preserve the undeveloped area.

But in mid-December, Marcia Wilda of the county's leasing and land management office notified Eden Prairie that it would have just 60 days to declare its interest in purchasing the property, appraised at $1.23 million.

Indications Tuesday that the county will allow more time to decide the parcel's fate is good news, said Picha. "We do officially have the delay. And that's what We wanted," he said.

Residents are urging that the property, bordered by Birch Island Road, Edenvale Boulevard, Indian Chief Road and the Twin Cities & Western Railroad in northern Eden Prairie, be conveyed to the city for preservation as natural open space.

They have suggested that the property would be a logical extension of nearby sites, including Birch Island Park, Eden Wood Center and the Terry Picha property that may someday become a heritage farm.

But the city of Eden Prairie has also applied for state grant money that could be used to purchase part of the site. In an informal meeting between Birch Island Woods proponents and the Eden Prairie City Council last week, Mayor Jean Harris said the city may be able to preserve most but possibly not all of the property.

This article originally appeared in the Eden Prairie News - Thursday, February 10, 2000. It is reprinted here by permission. The article is copyrighted "© 1999 Southwest Suburban Publishing", who retain all rights to it.