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The city of Tigard is one step closer to preserving a 26-acre property formally proposed for development.

Earlier this week, Tigard City Council voted to devote $2 million toward the purchase of the property, which is bordered by the Tigard Public Library, Fanno Creek and an undeveloped Metro property. The money will come from park system development charges and the city’s open space bond measure.

This amount will be combined with the $3.15 million Metro first committed to the project when the property’s former owner, Fred Fields, died last December. After his death, Metro and his estate agreed on a $5.15 million deal.

It was expected that as soon as the Tigard City Council brought the rest of the money to the table, the deal would be finalized shortly after.

For years, Fields proposed a number of development plans for the property, which usually involved building a bridge over Fanno Creek, according to Laura Oppenheimer-Odom, natural areas communications coordinator for Metro. One plan included working with the city of Tigard to develop housing units, but the city backed out when it learned how much the bridge would cost.

The city now hopes to preserve the property, which is half forested, and turn portions of it into recreational areas.

City and Metro officials believe the purchase will be finalized this fall, Oppenheimer-Odom said.