Who says city government can’t move quickly?
Following a closed session at their April 25 meeting, Grand Marais city councilors voted to enter into a purchase agreement with Matt Geretschlaeger for approximately 20 acres of city-owned land on the Gunflint Trail near the water tower.
Geretschlaeger, who plans to build a zip line on the property this summer, agreed to the $75,000 asking price and asked that the purchase process be expedited. Toward that end, council reconvened April 30 to finalize the deal, which was done with a unanimous vote (Councilor Jan Sivertson was absent). The purchase price was established through an appraisal by Ramsland & Vigen Inc. of Duluth; Geretschlaeger will also pay the cost of the appraisal.
Geretschlaeger’s quest to bring a zip line to Grand Marais began in March, when he appeared before the planning commission to ask for an annexation and zoning change to accommodate his original proposal for a site off the highway at the city’s west entrance near the Grand Marais Inn. Not only was that plan met with opposition from neighboring property owners, but city councilors said they were reluctant to approve the plan unless all of the adjacent property owners gave their consent.
Subsequently, Geretschlaeger returned to city council April 11 and unveiled new plans for a zip line—this time at the Gunflint Trail site. He said the topography there was perfectly suited for his project, already zoned for recreational use, and was in keeping with use of the area as envisioned by the Old Ski Hill Committee. The only problem is that the targeted area is owned by the city, and Geretschlaeger asked councilors if they’d be willing to sell him the property at a fair market value price determined by an appraiser. Geretschlaeger also asked that the appraisal be done quickly in order to allow him to contact the builders and get work under way this construction season.
Council readily agreed and voted to order the appraisal, which took place within a few days and was placed on the agenda for consideration at council’s following meeting.
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