When viewed in a much larger picture, the long-sought decision by the city of Ketchum to annex 138 acres around River Run and allow Sun Valley Co. to develop a new commercial-residential venue at the base of its ski area is a major boost for the entire valley's economy.
Getting to this point required months of planning, discussing and, finally, compromising on both sides. This take-a-little, give-a-little way of reaching a final agreement will give Sun Valley Co. a new tool in the hotly competitive Rocky Mountain ski resort business.
The planned ski-in, ski-out hotel will be a badly needed addition to the area's available lodging, plus attracting just that many more vacationing skiers.
Furthermore, local-option-tax revenues from this new recreational and housing site will be another boost to the area's economic recovery, which has been seeking new life during the national downturn.
Bald Mountain as a world-class ski attraction can exist on reputation only so long. Baldy needs to be backed up by communities with flourishing retail outlets, entertainment, restaurants and cultural activities—as well as hotel rooms to lure visitors.
Sun Valley Co. is once again making a major investment toward pump-priming the economy and thereby adding another feature for the valley to put up against the competition.
Kudos to the Ketchum City Council and to Sun Valley Co. for sticking with the effort all these months.
