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Eagle River Station moves forward
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site of proposed Eagle River Station project
After three years of discussion inside the confines of Eagle Town Hall, the long debated Eagle River Station project was set free of town board scrutiny following a long awaited vote on Wednesday night.
A 5-2 vote in favor sounds like an approval of the massive mixed use development, but wait, the split vote linked that approval to the outcome of an upcoming special election tentatively slated for January 5. Board members agreed that it was time to let the residents of the town have the final say in something of this magnitude.
The plan includes over 500,000 square feet of commercial space, 581 residential units, and a 150 room hotel, all on 88 acres on the eastern end of town. The developer expects to pay close to $350 million for the finished project. The town is set to reap the benefits of sales tax and an additional 1.3 percent public improvement fee on all retail purchases.
The pros and cons have been discussed for hours on end and both sides agreed that it was time for a vote. The discussions have taken so long that some now openly question if the business model for the entire project is obsolete. "I am afraid this is an outdated concept before it is even built", stated town board member Yuri Kostick after Wednesday's meeting. Fellow member Kraige Kinney spoke in support of the project noting that it would go a long way toward pumping up the town's stagnant revenue base.
Both sides are passionate about their position, but seem to agree that a vote of the people is the fitting way to decide the fate of the project that developer Trinity/RED Development has patiently presented to all who cared enough to patiently listen for so long. The ballot language is now up for discussion and things have already become testy with Kostick and fellow board member Scot Hunn critical of the text, concerned that the proposed vernacular sounded as if the town supported the project. The ballot question ultimately passed with the wording intact.
The vote on January 5 will be for town residents only. Absentee ballots will be offered, but no mail in ballots will be available.
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