BEMIDJI - The city of Bemidji plans to spend more than $13 million to purchase almost 130 acres of property along the south shore of Lake Bemidji for park land and a potential events center.
A purchase agreement with the largest landowner in the area, Shore Quest L.L.C., was signed Monday afternoon as the Bemidji Economic Development Authority agreed to purchase 106.48 acres for $11,770,000.
"We're moving ahead," City Manager John Chattin said.
Combined with the purchase agreements in place for three other properties, the cost of all 129.13 acres is $13,085,528.
"This is an investment in the legacy of our children's future," Councilor Nancy Erickson said.
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With the land, the city of Bemidji and its residents will have control over what develops along the south shore, Erickson said. "That's a good gift for our children and grandchildren," she said.
Councilor Ron Johnson emphasized the advantages of having the city buy the land. About one-third of the property is planned to be reserved for parks and trails, which will result in a lot of green space for the city, he said.
Johnson said support and enthusiasm for the land deal is spreading throughout the community, even extending to some of those who originally might have supported a downtown location for the events center.
"We're seeing more of that excitement," he said.
The events center plans call for it to have an ice arena that would be the home of Bemidji State University hockey.
Both Erickson and Johnson acknowledged that the city "can't afford" to maintain possession of all 130 acres. The city plans to recoup some of the property costs through the sale of land to the Department of Natural Resources. The city also may consider selling land to private developers, who may be interested, for instance, in constructing a hotel near the events center site.
The DNR is considering parcels to protect the virgin, or untouched, shoreline on the eastern edge of the property, expand the Paul Bunyan Trail and develop parkland. Chattin said last week that the DNR is compiling figures and is expected to get back to the city.
The Bemidji Pioneer and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
