Country Club property dominated meeting discussion this morning

The Jasper Redevelopment Commission received preliminary information on pursuing the purchase of the Jasper Country Club property on Wednesday.

Mayor Terry Seitz and Parks Director Ken Buck presented the history of the project to the commission. Buck explained he was approached in September by the owners of the country club to gauge the city’s interest in the property. Seeing the potential for a large property that could become a centralized park for the city with multiple opportunities, Buck brought the idea to the mayor’s attention.

The owners of the property have indicated a deed restriction would be put in place to restrict the property from ever being used as a golf course. A group of private investors had shown interest in purchasing the property to continue its operation as a country club.

According to Mayor Seitz, several public and private buyers were approached by the country club owners, but he had not heard of any other interested parties in addition to those at this time. (This was added after the original post, originally the story stated the mayor had said he was unaware of any other interested parties)

Buck explained to the commission the opportunity for the large centrally located park was well worth exploring. He explained plans for development could include a new pool, splash park, senior fitness trails, handicap accessible fishing at the ponds located on the property, and an outdoor amphitheatre. He also told the commission that in his own opinion the city has enough sports complexes and this park should be considered as a family attraction and not another sports facility.

In considering this purchase the city has four properties they could sell to assist in funding the purchase. Those properties include the Lechner property near Precious Blood, Bockelman property north of the Municipal Golf Course, the 30th Street Park, and a property at Truman Road and St. Charles Street for a total of about 70 acres. The mayor stated the purchase was not contingent on the sale of those properties.

In regards to the loss of property taxes for the property, Seitz stated the bulk of the assessed tax rides on the country club building not the golf course. The city is not interested in that building, however, an informal offer has been made by Alan Hanselman, co-owner of the Schnitzelbank Restaurant, but no formal offer has been received by the club management.

The mayor explained that several other entities were interested in the property and were working in conjunction with the city at exploring the opportunities there to create a recreational campus. Those include the Greater Jasper School Corporation, the Jasper Public Library and the Jasper Arts Department and they have agreed to the Redevelopment Commission taking the lead in exploring the opportunity.

The city has ordered an appraisal from C.E.I. Appraisers that is due later this week or early next week. Two appraisals are required by law and, according to City Attorney Renee Kabrick, the Jasper School Corporation has initiated a separate appraisal that the city can use in exploring the purchase.

The economic development proposal may include declaring a tax incremental financing (TIF) district for future development. The TIF would fund the future development of the declared district through the increased tax revenue from the properties within the district. Current tax rates would not be affected and still stay in the city’s general fund, but future tax increases due to appreciation would go into the TIF district fund.

The city considers the property an economic development due to the attractant it could become for families considering the area as industry builds around I-69. Ancillary businesses could then begin to develop around this property within the TIF district.

The commission plans on conducting an executive session to discuss the appraisals late next week and may call a special meeting later this month to take public input. That meeting will be announced once it is scheduled and is being considered for the evening to allow more public participation.