Idaho Mountain Express: Slow down on River Run plans

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Friday, November 20, 2009

Slow down on River Run plans

Steve Wolper lives in Ketchum.

By STEVE WOLPER

First, let me say that I am strongly in favor of a healthy economy and vibrant community in the Wood River Valley. I would like to see Sinclair Oil and the Sun Valley Co. create a world-class resort at the base of Bald Mountain at River Run—one that in consort with a yet-to-be-developed competitive marketing program returns our community to the prominence it once had. River Run is certainly a far more appropriate location than the middle of a residential neighborhood in Warm Springs.

What is worrisome is the present sense of boosterism in analyzing development that seems to have overtaken both the business community and those public officials charged with protecting the community's complex interests.

The proposed development at River Run is arguably the largest project proposed for our community since Sun Valley was created and, at the developer's own admission, several years in the offing. Yet those whose responsibility it is to oversee the project are quoted in opposition to a more deliberative process that allows officials and the community a more reasonable amount of time—not an endless amount of time—to analyze the applicant's proposal.

In a city in which its economic development and planning and zoning departments are officially combined, we are told by city officials that it will be confusing or counterproductive to have too many facts or to take too long to examine the intricacies of the proposal.

In addition to the local Ketchum issues, there has been little consideration of the regional effects this project will have on, among other things, community housing, traffic on state Highway 75 south of Ketchum and public transportation.

We are exhorted by leaders of business development organizations that we should "trust" Sun Valley Co. to do the "right thing" because they "always build first-class structures." While no one can argue that the company has spent a huge amount of money on impressive large structures, one might argue that they may not function well for the purposes for which they were designed.

We are told by representatives of Sun Valley Co., in the old General Motors mantra of "take it or leave it," that what is good for the company is good for our community. Unfortunately, anyone who has lived here for a while knows that to be sometimes less than accurate. To make it deliberately very hard for guests to visit Ketchum to shop or eat, there was a time very recently when Sun Valley's buses were not allowed to stop in Ketchum. The Warm Springs Lodge did little to improve local businesses and après ski at Warm Springs. We must ensure that the development at River Run does not have the same effect on the downtown Ketchum core. Sun Valley Co. has a long history and questionable record of not providing livable employee housing and wages and the proposed project does not offer much promise to change those policies.

As a community, what we can do right now is to slow down—ever so slightly—and ask for more complete plans for the development. We can ask the Ketchum City Council to take more time to give our community time to examine the proposal.

Finally, the approval by the Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission has too many gray areas in which requirements are prefaced by "should" rather than "must." Promises by developers are often rescinded later due to "changing economic conditions." The Ketchum City Council must require written assurances that the promised public amenities and conditions for the annexation and planned-unit development will be met.

Done well, sensitive to the environment and to its neighbors, with very limited onsite retail establishments to protect the business core of Ketchum, with onsite workforce housing and a meaningful contribution to additional community housing, with an all-season connection to the downtown core, and other amenities that would be defined in a more deliberative process, Sun Valley Co., in cooperation with our community, has the opportunity to lead by example and do the right thing. Other world-class ski areas have done it and we can, too.

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The comments below are from the readers of mtexpress.com and in no way represent the views of Express Publishing Inc.

billy

12/03/09 - 17:20

Could not find my hard copy of Steve's letter -- always a thoughtful view. Finally able to revisit his comments online. As a citizen of Hailey, I am certainly joyous that Ketchum continues to spread her legs and worship wealth, volunteering as a sacrifice area for the gluttenous pirates that have been so successful in pillaging this nation's economy. An exclusive sky-island in the mountains where they can bury their ill-gotten gains creating another "Mountain Village"/Berchtesgaden, and sail in and out (at least for now!) on their gulfstreams and look around and be terribly impressed with themselves. The target audience for more of these monuments to excess -- the top 1% of (unearned) income earners in this country who have more income than the bottom 95%. The skiing and scenery haven't improved any in the two decades since friends from Twin and Boise came up with their Idaho cards for a weekend. They started families, couldn't justify the ever-escalating expense, and tired of newcomers looking down their nose at working folks with older gear. A lot fewer smiles in the north valley these days. This new wave take themselves and their scores very seriously.
Those consolidating and concentrating wealth and associated power get to do whatever they please, that is until the plowshares are returned to their original configuration.

Ed Simon – Ketchum

11/23/09 - 12:02

Steve's guest opinion highlights the importance of balance in development approval, and the process by which it is accomplished. River Run annexation has a tremendous potential for the local Ketchum/Blaine County economies, however, it should not be rushed on the premise that it alone will cure what ails us. This is not, and should not be a pro-anti development issue. It is about performing an in depth analysis of the impacts of this project, having adequate public hearings, and fairly negotiating the final project. Touche to Steve for adding his candid voice.

Pete

11/23/09 - 09:11

Wah, Wah, Wah.... We don't want growth.
Wah, Wah, Wah.... We expect things to change on their own
Wah, Wah, Wah....

Icky – gone surfing

11/22/09 - 19:48

I was once told years ago that on Earl's desk is a plaque that says " all I want to own is my neighbors land." Think about this, SVC has entered the perfect storm of buying their neighbor's land at rock bottom. Sinclar as cash, developer's holding prime real estate and can't secure funding are running out of time. I predict WSR property already through annexation into Ketchum will end up in SVC's pocket. Already planned and approved with a big red ribbon. SVC will eventually monopolize their customer and become the "new Ketchum" retail, find dinning, entertainment,5 stat hotel, golf and exclusive lift ( 8:30am) access for their guest and owners to the top of Frenchmans. To rub it in, rip off the scone and fried chicken recipe from Warm Springs Ranch. The truth, almost the only business in WS, the only business that will ever be at River Run and the soon to be named " Five Sun's Luxury Village" at WSR. Now if I can think of this, you know Earl did 20 yrs ago. He'll probably build all of it in 6 years. It will be his legacy. Our lesson? Cash Is King again!

Jima Rice

11/21/09 - 23:42

Great letter Steve. Covered every point of the problem with the Sun Valley River Run complex. A few of us talked today about how much we appreciate your writing it! Thanks.

Max Casebeau – Hailey

11/20/09 - 21:01

Dear SV Company, Ketchum and Sun Valley City Councils and the
the Blaine County Commissioners. and Steve Wolper.

The hand writing should of be noticed two years ago when 6 restaurants closed in Ketchum and 1000 people have left the county to find their future else where . Why not bet on the fact that Chinese money will finance the US Govt. in a manner that that all are accustomed to, instead we have business as usual at all levels at the local, state, and federal government levels.

The two major hold ups , are the airport relocation and the Sun Valley River Run project. I suggest that these two factors are for better or worse ( no matter what political party is in charge) are holding up this community's progress, ( what ever that means).

I still can't find parking in Ketchum. No wonder Hailey is growing.

While we sit and argue about details and authorize another airport study, or authorize more detailed requirements, the Chinese have built 25 more cities that will house a million people each. !

Our systems are not working, we are losing because no one is in charge of the public business. Its pretty simple now, to survive Sun Valley Company, and Ketchum and Hailey, need more people winter and summer to discover the Northern Rockies. and particularly the magic of these mountains . This isn't a problem at Vail or Aspen.

In spite of all of these possible improvements. mans biggest enemy is himself.

Max Casebeau
Hailey,

Reply to Max Casebeau

Dan Solaro

11/21/09 - 11:36

Lets all hand over the government to Max. We can turn Ketchum into a Vail type resort and build a city to house a million Chinese.

What are you stupid or something?

Concerned

11/20/09 - 10:12

Why doesn't Sun Valley Co. get busy fixing what they have already got before they build more? Buildings are looking a bit run down - go look at the River Run Lodge, at the Sun Valley lodge, go look in their shopping area in the village. They need to quit spending on stuff and repair what they have. It really looks like someone is trying to build monuments to themselves, and not really trying to improve the economy.

Ree Lee

11/20/09 - 10:10

John
What about Warm Springs golf course, Warm Springs Restaurant and Warms Springs Tennis? The Warms Springs Hotel will be built only if they can find the money investors to do it. Look at Tamarack ski area for a clue how likely that they will find the ton of money they will need. Sort of like the Evergreen condo dudes tearing down the Sun Valley Athletic Club, no money found = no new buildings built.

Reply to Ree Lee

Saw it coming

11/20/09 - 10:47

Ree Lee,
You are spot on!
I was a member of SVAC for 15 years and still miss it. But, alas, those days are gone. The owner sold us out................for an empty lot!

Randy (not Randy the snowman)

11/20/09 - 08:46

Hopefully when this project is built, it will cause DDRM to reevaluate their desire to destroy the Warm Springs community!
Hopefully the DDRM Fascists will go bankrupt because of the River Run project!
Warm Springs Ranch Memorial Dog Park? Cool!

Reply to Randy (not Randy the snowman)

John

11/20/09 - 09:51

Randy,
Please explain what you mean by destroying the Warm Springs neighborhood? Nobody has forced any business to leave the area if that is what you mean. They have all left by their own decisions. What do you want, more condos and denser living spaces or hundreds of parked cars?

Reply to Randy (not Randy the snowman)

Randy (not Randy the snowman)

11/20/09 - 10:10

John,
Please re-read my comment.
I said "Warm Springs Community". I'm not talking about any businesses. I'm talking about the RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY that would be destroyed by the Warm Springs Ranch Development. WS is a residential community that will be destroved by DDRM. Parking lots/structures, massive hotel (93 feet high), increased density, condos, unbelievable construction, employee and resident/guest traffic, etc..........
I'm hoping that the River Run Project will cause DDRM (the developers of the WS Project) to reconsider destroying Warm Springs!