December 2006 School Edition School’s out forever: Development potential at ed. sites The Boise School District is selling West Junior High School and may do the same with five other school buildings — much to the delight of the commercial real estate community. Read the Full Story in the Idaho Business Review  (12/25) Farmers and Conservationists Form a Rare Alliance The standoff here between farmers and environmentalists was familiar in the modern West. With salmon and wildlife dwindling in the Skagit River Delta, some environmentalists had argued since the 1980s that local farms should be turned back into wetlands. Farmers here feared that preachy outsiders would strip them of their land and heritage. The standoff here between farmers and environmentalists was familiar in the modern West. This year, though, the standoff ended — at least for three longtime farmers in this fertile valley, who began collaborating with their former enemies to preserve wildlife and their livelihoods. Read the Full Story in the NY Times  (12/27) Developer completes acquisition of New Jersey landfill for mixed-use project The Walters Group of Barnegat, N.J., has completed its acquisition of a former landfill, where it plans to build a 650,000-square-foot retail complex with 565 age-restricted residential units, 110 affordable housing units and 25,000 square feet of office space. The deal comes after three years of negotiations with Stafford Township officials, the state Pinelands Commission and various environmental groups. Read the Full Story at Globe St.  (12/12) Roads votes may be linked If the Legislature approves, a highway and transit plan for Sound Transit and Snohomish County will be one question on the 2007 ballot. Read the Full Story in the Herald  (12/12) Quote of the Month "To play it safe is not to play. " -Robert Altman (film director, producer and screenwriter)