King County buys Cedar River property for $14M, ending decade-long asphalt plant fight

King County has purchased the Cedar River property for $14 million, ending a nearly decade-long fight against a proposed asphalt plant. The county announced the deal Saturday at the Fairwood 60th Anniversary Celebration, with plans to develop the land into parks and open spaces rather than industrial use. The purchase will be funded from county reserves, and community input will guide future development of trails, play areas, and habitat restoration.