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.
I would call that politics at it's finest, on the local level
ReplyDeleteI am just amazed. Again, I understand the concerns of some local downtown retailers, but almost half of the city commissioners who should be watching out for the entire city are against this?
DeleteAgain, Chicago needs to take their offer to those folks putting together a city 13 miles north of Williston, or even better, a town on the south side of the river, overlooking the beautiful Missouri.
There are so many options. But with almost half the city commissioners voting again a $16 million downtown transformational project speaks volumes of, as you say, politics on the local level.
I accidently ranted on your story from Williston Wire, but am with you on this one. I have been following this story and city commission meeting minutes. Very FEW people are opposed to this. One business owner making the biggest fuss is upset because he has a business that basically faces an alley adjacent to this parking lot. He will lose his parking and his customers parking if this building gets built. That is what you get when you open up shop on the alley side of a building. He said the downtown people who are FOR this project have better parking access from other lots located near their stores. That is NOT true. Hedderichs building owner (just across the street) relies on this parking lot and this owner is all for this new building. Cooks on Main would also rely on this lot (which this owner is for this project as well) that parking lot is the closest to her store and her customers pretty much rely on street parking. I also am dissapointed in a certain Commissioner who opposes this project now. He said there will be time in the future for this project, but not now...SAY WHAT???? That doesn't even make sense. If he means when things SLOW DOWN and less people use the parking lot, that would mean the developer would not even consider coming in because that would indicate downtown Williston is dying or dead. This is a GREAT time in Williston and the city of Williston would be stupid to pass this oppotunity up to start the revitalization of downtown when they have this chance. This project could be the start of bigger and better projects downtown. Cities are trying to get rid of parking lot sprawl, a few people in Williston want to hang on to them apparantly.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you completely. It will encourage more downtown growth.
DeleteAgain, I understand the concern of a few retailers in the area, but when I see almost half the city commission voting against it when they should be looking out for the entire city .... it makes me wonder.
Enjoyed the video clip that you showed. That big white building going up across from the courthouse is pretty impressive. I'm guessing it is an apartment complex (big one at that) it is 5 levels on the east end and it appears to maybe have some underground parking? Someone suggested it is an extended stay hotel, but when I drove by it, it looks more like apartments because of the sliding glass doors all over the building on all levels.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that, also. Did not know what it was. Maybe the Williston skyline will gradually change. Smile.
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