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Park Board discusses land sale

By Mark Potts, Staff Writer
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 3:14 PM CDT


The Williston Park Board discussed an offer Tuesday night to buy the park district's undeveloped frontage road land located at Western Star Park.

The Park Board was first approached about selling the land in May and received an offer this month. The proposal was headed up by Dave Veeder, who is partner in a Residence Inn by Marriott franchise in Billings, Mont. Veeder proposed an offer of $345,000 for 5.62 acres. Park Board President Larry Grondahl said they counter-offered with $474,000. According to Grondahl, Veeder said they were still interested and would be in touch, but thought that was too much money.

After some discussion the board decided against the offer of $345,000, believing they should ask for at least $474,000, or just under $2 per square foot.

"Could we use $345,000? Yeah, but I think we'd be giving it away," Grondahl said.

Since selling the land became a real possibility, Grondahl said he's shown the land to real estate developers who say the park district is not out of line asking for $2 per square foot. He also expects to hear more interest in the property now that word is getting out about a possible sale. "I don't think they'll be the only people we hear from on this," Grondahl said about Veeder's group.

All the members of the board were open to the idea of selling the land but felt they should wait for a better offer. Grondahl said they spoke with other park districts in the state, and were told that frontage road property doesn't have many development possibilities for parks. The sale of 5.62 acres would still leave about six acres of undeveloped property for future expansion of Western Star Park.

"I think right now our committee would probably come out with a recommendation to sell," Grondahl said. "It's probably in the park district's best interest to begin to take a serious look at it (selling)."

Grondahl said he planned to meet with city commissioner Brad Bekkedahl soon and discuss issues concerning the property.

In other news:

  • The bathrooms at Harmon Park and Davidson Park were vandalized earlier this year when someone set small fires inside the bathrooms. In response, Darin Krueger, Director of Parks and Recreation, said the bathrooms are now locked except when activities are going on at the parks.

  • Eckert Youth Pool is now open. The pool is still waiting for a new slide and rock climbing wall to be delivered but Krueger said they should be here within two weeks. Also, thanks to an abundance of lifeguards, the pool has reopened swimming lesson registration for sessions two and three. Session two starts June 30 and session three begins July 21.

  • The Williston Municipal Golf Course was recently surveyed with a GPS unit, so now anyone who plays with a SkyCaddie should have access to precise yardage information on the course.

  • The Park Board held election of officers Tuesday night. Grondahl remained in his position as president and Bruce Kaiser retained his role as vice president. Jordy Larvick retained his job as park board clerk.
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    Copyright © 2010 Williston Herald

    Comments

      Sell wrote on Jun 19, 2008 12:55 PM:

      " I feel the same way! This city is already behind the times in many ways. But that's how this city is ran. Always a day late...planning is everything...but seems that 'getting that all needed extra buck' seems to come back to slap one in that face. SELL! SELL! SELL! Move along with the rest of the world before the 'ghost town' blows away! "

      Sell the Land wrote on Jun 18, 2008 4:30 PM:

      " it would have been nice to see the City of Williston get a Residence Inn...probably about the only one in the state other than Fargo...hope this doesn't fall through and they sell the land to someone who just sits on it and not get it developed. This is Williston's chance to get things moving and get some National Chains and Franchises come into the community like other cities of its size. Williston really lacks the national chain for shopping and hotels when you compare to cities like Dickinson, Jamestown, and even Devils Lake. "

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