Jasper Country Club purchase clears another hurdle

The Jasper Common Council approved a resolution that will allow the Jasper Economic Redevelopment Commission to move forward with seeking financing to purchase the Jasper Country Club.

A few changes were introduced to the land purchase last night prior to the approval. City Attorney Renee Kabrick explained, the owners of the Schnitzelbank expanded the amount of their property purchase by an additional 1.72 acres that surrounds the country club building.

This addition will lower the amount available for purchase by the city from 62.72 acres to 61 acres.

In addition to this the land, owners off of West Poplar Lane and Emily Street have indicated they would like to purchase 2 to 3 acres adjacent to their homes. This acreage would be used as a buffer between the property owners and the proposed park and stop any expansion of Poplar Lane into the park.

Councilman Randy Buchta voiced some concerns over the sale of 30th Street Park and its three baseball/softball fields. He said that some neighbors to the park had contacted him and explained it is heavily used during spring and early summer for baseball and softball teams to practice.

He also told the council that he sees three to four vehicles parked at the park on a regular basis and that indicated to him it was used quite a bit.

Parks Director Ken Buck stated he felt the park was underutilized and the teams could move their practices to another park.

Mayor Terry Seitz stated interested neighbors to the park had already contacted him about purchasing a wooded area separating their homes from the park.

The park is one of three properties the city would like to sell in conjunction with purchasing the country club property. 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.

Buchta also stated he originally had concerns about the cost of purchasing the golf course, but after seeing the initial appraisals of the properties the city plans on selling and the interest the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Corporation has in 10 to 15 acres of the country club property, he said those concerns have been alleviated.

The city would not release the appraisals they have received on those properties. Kabrick explained it was premature due to the fact the city has to have two appraisals completed and use the average of the two to determine sales prices for the properties.

The city has also declined to release any details on the offer they made on the property; Kabrick explained this is due to the fact the two parties are still in negotiation over the property.

The Economic Redevelopment Commission will now move forward with securing financing which will be brought to the council for approval.

Kabrick stated her goal for completion of the purchase with approval from the commission and the council is 60 to 75 days.