City of Jasper considering purchase of Jasper Country Club acreage

The City of Jasper’s Redevelopment Commission will be exploring options in purchasing portions of the Jasper Country Club.

At Wednesday’s Jasper Common Council meeting the council approved a resolution for the commission to move forward with developing plans for about 63 acres of land that make up the golf course. The proposal does not include the Country Club building, private drive from Newton Street or associated facilities.

In August, the country club announced intentions to cease operations after December 31 (story here).

Mayor Terry Seitz commended Jasper Parks Director Ken Buck with bringing the idea to the city’s attention and said he was excited about the opportunities the property could afford the city. The mayor stated the city did not approach the current owners of the Country Club, an inquiry into the city’s interest in the property set the wheels in motion to explore the option.

Other parties showing interest in the property include the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Corporation, Jasper Public Library and the Jasper Community Arts Commission.  “We have asked them if we are looking at a park, are there other things that the community could benefit from,” Mayor Seitz said. “They could play a role that could be a campus-like development.”

The mayor stated the opportunity needed to be explored due to future considerations in improving the quality of life and health of the community in the future.

In addition to exploring this purchase, city officials also revealed they may seek the sale of three city properties. The three properties represent about 70 acres that would be put back on the city’s tax rolls and they include the Lechner property near Precious Blood, Bockelman property north of the Municipal Golf Course, and the 30th Street Park.

The council asked to establish a timeline to sell the properties and asked if any parties had shown interest in them yet. The mayor informed the council the city has had several inquiries about the Lechner property and parcels of the Bockelman property. The 30th Street Park would have to be decommissioned by the Parks Department before it could be sold.

City Attorney Renee Kabrick informed the council the Redevelopment Commission was the best commission to explore the opportunity and develop a plan for the property. If they felt the need to pursue the purchase they would then present the plan and a declaratory resolution to the council for approval.

City Engineer Chad Hurm told the council he and engineer Steve Sherwood walked the site and felt it would be appropriate for development.

The mayor and council agreed it was a unique opportunity to acquire a large property that is centrally located in the city for the park’s use.

No solid timeline was revealed at the meeting and the current schedule aligns with the normally scheduled meetings for the Common Council and the Commission. The next Redevelopment Commission meeting is on November 7, at 7:30 a.m., at city hall.