Roman historian Titus Livius' overworked maxim of early history—"better late than never"—is just as valid today in describing the Ketchum City Council's last-minute objection to plans for the 3.8-acre Simplot tract across the street from the Ketchum Post Office.
The council discovered a ringer: As part of the plan, the city was on the verge of giving up 33,000 square feet of undeveloped public right-of-way in exchange for land on which to build a new city hall.
Whoa!
Councilman Baird Gourlay pointed out it's common knowledge the city is considering a new city hall on its present East Avenue site, not the Simplot property, in which case the city would be relinquishing rights to valuable land for nothing in exchange for a meaningless provision.
Now, before final approval, City Hall will try to hammer out a deal with the Simplot family owners to obtain a 32,000-square-foot parcel for future use, but not necessarily a city hall.
As the last, large undeveloped land in the downtown Ketchum area, the Simplot property should be a showcase of proper master planning and design. And the city has every right and responsibility, as part of its planning authority, to insist the public's rights are preserved.
Councilman Gourlay's timely challenge is an example of careful, but tough-minded, thinking in City Hall that paid off, as well as a reminder that putting the public's interest first does not mean ambitious projects such as the Simplots' will be scuttled.
