GF approves documents for public-private plaza

The Grand Forks council has approved a series of agreements that will help pave the way for a public plaza as part of the downtown Beacon project.

The public-private partnership includes tax breaks and a revenue bond mechanism that will help develop the $6.5 million dollar plaza on the site of the former Town House Motel.

City Administrator Todd Feland says the concept differs from a straight tax break offered by the city for other major developments.  Feland says the plaza will not replace the current Town Square.  “Taking all the things we learned when we were focused on Town Square.  This opportunity came forward and provided the size and scale we wanted and funding.”

Council member Bret Weber says the plaza is a “big deal” for the downtown.  “This is what we’ve been dreaming of for the Town Square since the visioning process.”

The management agreement calls for the creation of an entity called Beacon Events Inc.  There will be 9 appointed members on the board of directors with three (3) appointed by the City, three (3) appointed by the School District, two (2) appointed by the Park District and 1 appointed by the Developer.