As a homeowner at TheHeritage development at Superior National at Lutsen golf facility, I believe maintaining Superior National as a top-notch golf facility can bring $15 to $20 million in additional development to TheHeritage and Cook County.
Nine single family homes and three townhomes have been built or are under construction at The Heritage. These homes represent approximately $7 million in building and infrastructure costs. An additional 35 lots remain. Development of these lots represents an additional $17.5 million residential investment in Cook County, much of which will go to local contractors and trades people. However, with the choices available in today’s real estate market, this additional investment is contingent upon maintaining Superior National as a top-notch facility.
Theexisting 12 houses at the Heritage, once completed, will generate approximately $30,000 annually in real estate taxes. At full build-out, the 44 housing units will likely generate more than $125,000 annually in taxes. Again, full buildout is contingent on maintaining a highly competitive, fully functioning, attractive golf facility.
My checkbook reflects names such as Gene’s IGA, Johnson’s Market, Cook County Co-op, Joynes Department Store, Lake Superior Trading Post, Sivertson’s Gallery, Buck’s Hardware & Radio Shack, Isak Hansen Hardware, Heavy Duty Sewing, Angry Trout, Dockside Fish Market, North House Folk School, Johnson Heritage Center, Schroeder Historical Society … and more. We are in Cook County because of Lake Superior, Lutsen Mountains and Superior National at Lutsen. Take any of the three away, and we likely would not have invested in Cook County. A conservative estimate of the contribution to the local economy from 44 occupied homes at The Heritage is at least $250,000 annually.
Our family and visitors will play about 35 rounds of golf at Superior National in 2010. Even at 25 rounds per year The Heritage will generate about 1,100 rounds of golf annually. Adding golf balls, hats and hamburgers purchased at the clubhouse, at full build-out, The Heritage will generate about $100,000 in revenue annually to Superior National.
Thefinancial impact on Cook County from The Heritage represents only a fraction of the financial impact from a strong, attractive Superior National at Lutsen golf facility. The direct and indirect impact Superior National has across all segments of the business, social and cultural spectrum should not be underestimated.
I trust the commissioners, the EDA, the Grand Marais City Council and other civic leaders charged with making decisions relative to Superior National at Lutsen recognize the tremendous financial impact this amazing resource has on the entire county.
Robert J. llstrup
St Croix Falls, Wisconsin
Lutsen
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