Wednesday, April 7, 2004

Council, public chime
in on Simplot plan

Formal review could commence this spring

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"I certainly think affordable housing is going to be a necessity in this project."

— BAIRD GOURLAY, Ketchum councilman

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By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer

A pair of Ketchum development consultants this week presented an evolving plan to develop the largest vacant land parcel in the city core.

Appearing before the Ketchum City Council Monday, April 5, architect James Ruscitto and real-estate broker Dick Fenton displayed a revised master plan for the Simplot lot, a 3.8-acre parcel across the street from the post office.

The Tourist-zoned parcel covers two city blocks between Second and Third avenues and Fourth and Sixth streets. It is owned by Gay and Scott Simplot, members of the family that founded the Boise-based JR Simplot Company, an international agribusiness corporation.

A conceptual master plan to develop the Simplot land, between Second and Third avenues and Fourth and Sixth streets, includes a mix of housing, parks, commercial space and a new headquarters for the Sun Valley Center for the Arts. Express photo by Willy Cook

Ruscitto and Fenton have assisted the Simplots in developing a conceptual master plan to develop the property with a mix of housing, parks, commercial space and a new headquarters for the Sun Valley Center for the Arts.

"Our plan is to build something that really has use," Ruscitto said.

In a detailed—albeit informal—review of the plan, council members and the public offered a wide range of comments.

Of primary concern to council members Monday was a request for the city to vacate two platted, undeveloped roadways on the parcel, including a portion of Fifth Street.

All four members of the council suggested that they want to ensure the city is adequately reimbursed for giving up rights to approximately one acre of land currently dedicated as roadways.

"I certainly think affordable housing is going to be a necessity in this project," said Councilman Baird Gourlay.

The primary aspects of the revised plan include:

• Developing the west half of the property with 25 paired housing units. The western sector of land would effectively be downzoned to accommodate less density than what could currently be allowed.
  
   
• Selling a lot on the southeast corner of the site to the Sun Valley Center for the Arts for development of a new 25,000-square-foot headquarters and an attached park, which could be used as a sculpture garden.
  
   
• Constructing an approximately 25,000-square-foot commercial and residential structure immediately west of the intersection of Fifth St. and Second Ave. The area would also include an underground parking lot with 130 stalls.
  
   
• Developing a parcel on the northeast corner of the site with a 25,000-square-foot mixed-use building and public park. However, the northeast lot could be made available for sale to the city for location of a new city hall and police department headquarters.
  
   
• Installing a public transit terminal across from the post office.
  
   
• Redeveloping and rerouting a public bike path that courses through the property.
  
   
• Closing off with landscaping—but not vacating—a section of Third Avenue adjacent to the project.

Fenton said the northeast lot could be sold to the city for approximately $1.5 million if the city determined the property could be used.

He noted that the Simplots are willing to consider including some affordable housing in the master plan.

"We’re certainly open to that but just need some direction," he said.

The owners, Fenton said, have not determined if they would develop the property themselves, develop it as part of a joint venture, or sell it with an approved development plan.

Mayor Ed Simon expressed positive sentiments about the plan.

"To me, the greatest public benefit will be the public open space, usable access."

Ketchum hotel operator Joe Koenig said the city should carefully consider the street-vacation request.

"I’d just like to see the city come up with some land on that thing," he said.

No formal application to develop the property has been made. Fenton said the master plan could be formally submitted to the city this spring.

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