Keeping the Community Square public, the former Seyfert station at 229 East Wall Street, will be made possible with information presented to the Eagle River city council last week by the Community Square task force and approved by the council.
Overall, the cost to the city of the Community Square is approximately $268,000 that includes purchase, demolition, remediation and interest. Former city administrator Joe Laux, a member of the Rotary Club and task force, outlined a time schedule under a Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) plan to develop and repay the city by the end of 2027.
Council member Jerry Burkett indicated he was contacted by Perry Porcrant to tell the council he was opposed to keeping it public and desired to have the property privately developed. Council member Kim Schaffer preferred having the money paid to the city up front.
Laux told the council that Rotary would plan and raise the funds for the initial construction and present it to the city task force and city council for approval. Rotary would then build the initial construction and turn it over to the city.
The council then approved 4-0 a motion by council member Ron Kressin authorizing the Rotary Club to design and construct the Community Square as approved by the task force and city council and develop a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes to the city. Kressin was appointed to be the council representative on the task force,
A short discussion on what a possible name might be considered for the new Community Square with Carol Hendricks indicating she would like it to give Rotary credit.
