Updates
February 27, 2014: apparently this project has been approved (verbal discussion with long-time Williston resident and very, very reliable source).
Later, 11:38 pm: I was correct. Incredible. I joked below that Williston city commissioners voting again the project must be realtors, turned out to be (at least partly) true. The Williston Herald also noted it:
Discussion continued Tuesday night on the potential sale of a downtown parking lot, but no action was ultimately taken.
Commissioners accepted a bid on May 14 for a total of $17 million, and numerous questions were raised about the bid and the pending purchase agreement.
Commissioner Tate Cymbaluk, who originally voted against the bid citing already-present parking issues downtown, peppered the commission with more concerns over the project.
Cymbaluk, who doubles as a realtor, said if the project’s footings are in place, the city could face potential liens if construction was not adequate to the agreement, which could cost more money to buy it back.Sounds like the city could require bonds to minimize adverse exposure.
I still think the Chicago developer needs to take his proposal to the 13-mile corner.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to guess who was against man-camps; the result was $200/night lodging, and very, very expensive housing. But that's an old story.
Original Post
A Chicago developer wants to invest $16 million in downtown Williston.
Some in Williston are vehemently opposed: they don't want to lose a parking lot.
Even the city commissioners are divided 3-2.
Nancy Kapp, president and CEO of The Renaissance Companies, proposes a six-story complex on Williston’s Main Street that would house retail, office space, 45 apartments and underground parking.
The Renaissance on Main project, which would replace a city-owned parking lot, has created a divide among Williston city commissioners and residents. Commissioners recently supported the project in a 3-2 vote and will make a final decision on selling the lot in a special meeting tonight.Call me crazy but I must be missing something. Let me guess. Two of the Williston city commissioners are realtors. Or own the parking meters on the parking lot.
The Dickinson Press is reporting.
I definitely understand the concerns of the local retailers, but if I were the Chicago developer and got that kind of welcome (two of five commissioners voting against the proposal), I would take my offer to the proposed Bakken City 13 miles north of Williston.
A $16 million project in downtown Williston would be just the start of a transformation. Downtown Williston, compared to all the activity in the area (and compared to the economic data just released -- more retail sales than Fargo), looks tiny, parochial, and pathetic. JCP and Hedderich's are the big buildings downtown? From the 1950s or 60s? Think of the property tax revenue this project would bring. Think of the huge number of shoppers this would bring to downtown.
