It was with great amusement that I read a portion of the Grand Marais City Council article regarding the possible failure of Matt Geretschlaeger to complete the “controversial” “Zip-Line” on property he was basically given by the City of Grand Marais a year or so ago.
At the time I was very concerned about this decision, quickly passed by the city council. It was not because I am anti development or anti zip line, however I would rather see an Event Center built there!
It was because of the rather immediate process and how it came to be so fast. I was not aware of Grand Marais needing a Zip-Line park so urgently. I know, I for one do not see my personal demographic being drawn to that party favor!
Evidently, at the time, Geretschlaeger coerced the city into agreeing to NOT have a “Right of First Refusal” implemented if in fact this project, which I believe received a fair amount of public money, BEYOND the initial bargain price for the land, does not come to fruition!
Now it is NOT intended to be finished but there is a beautiful road into the very difficult to access property. Perhaps it would make a GREAT little land development with a lake view! Imagine that?
Who was it that said, “That Zip-line will NEVER get finished, but it will become a development!” Who was that? Quite a few of us I believe!
Check out the “Community Conversation” regarding this issue at forums.edemocracy.org/groups/cc/. (Click on Grand Marais land sale). A few people tried to organize to no avail. Now what? Wait for the real estate ads and signs to go up?
Stephan Hoglund
Grand Marais
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