The Cedar Grove Business Park (CGBP), owned by the Cook County/ Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) will be home to another business if buyer Randy Ekroot’s site plan meets approval.
Ekroot, with Realtor Jack McHugh, attended the Tuesday, July 12 EDA meeting to make an offer of $27,000 on CGBP lot 6, block 4. On the EDA website, the lot is priced at $55,000.
McHugh explained that the lot is just to the right of the lot purchased by Paul James of Cook County Towing in July 2014 for $25,000. The lot purchased by James had been listed at $45,000. It is the site used temporarily as a stable and horse tour business.
McHugh and Ekroot provided a sketch and an elevation drawing of the proposed building and where it would be placed. However, McHugh added that Ekroot couldn’t give precise placement yet, as there is an issue with the survey of the lot.
EDA Chair Howard Hedstrom said the lot has been surveyed, but the pins are no longer in place.
McHugh said as soon as the survey pins are replaced, Greg Gastecki of Edwin E. Thoreson, Inc. has agreed to come check the grade to help determine the best location for the building. McHugh said Ekroot has also had discussion with David Demmer of Cook County Planning and Zoning regarding a stormwater plan for the site.
The EDA board asked Ekroot what would be the purpose of the building. He said he has lost his lease at his current site [A&E Marine] on the Gunflint Trail and needs a new location. He said the building would be half garage and half retail space.
EDA Board Member Heidi Doo- Kirk asked her colleagues if a retail business is allowed under the business park covenants. EDA Director Mary Somnis reviewed the business park covenants file and said yes, retail businesses are allowed.
Doo-Kirk made a motion to close the meeting to discuss the purchase offer. The board talked in closed session for several minutes and then EDA Director Mary Somnis came out to talk to the potential buyer. After a brief conversation, she returned to the meeting.
The EDA reconvened its regular meeting and a motion was made by EDA Board Member Carol Mork, seconded by Board Member Hal Greenwood to accept the purchase order from Ekroot for $30,000 for the lot. The motion carried unanimously.
The next steps will be getting the survey pins back in place and reviewing Ekroot’s site and stormwater management plans. The EDA set a public hearing to accept public comment on the lot sale for Tuesday, July 26 at 5 p.m. at Grand Marais City Hall.
McHugh said Ekroot hopes to close by August 30 or sooner.
Director Somnis said she had recently talked to Nadder and Lee Samari, who purchased CGBP lot 3, block 5 in September 2015 for $27,500. The EDA website lists the lot price as $40,000. The couple plans to build a 970-square-foot veterinary clinic with an 800-square-foot residence attached.
Somnis said progress is being made toward construction. EDA board members said they were looking forward to a special groundbreaking celebration, if the Samaris agreed. Somnis said yes, they told her they would be happy to have the EDA board there. Somnis said she would bring out the “golden shovels” for the occasion.
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