Grand Forks Joint Meeting Reviews Ray Richards Redevelopment

(KNOX) – A joint meeting of the Grand Forks City Council, Grand Forks County Commission, and Grand Forks School Board heard a briefing on a proposed pilot request for redevelopment of the Ray Richards Golf Course Tuesday night.

UND President Andrew Armacost and Steve Burian of Burian and Associates presented the project, followed by comments from the public and various board members.

The briefing saw Armacost state, for the second straight night, that the university wants to preserve the golf course, stating the course is a money loser for the university.

However, Shawn Beauclair, a local business owner, pushed back against Armacost’s claims on how much money the course loses.

Grand Forks Regional Economic Development Corporation President Keith Lund discussed the need for housing with the expected addition of jobs in Grand Forks in the near future.

But resident Almaz Tegenu pushed back on the housing piece, stating the apartments added by PILOTs thus far are not affordable for most.

Andrew Krauseneck, the owner of Albatross in Grand Forks, an indoor golf simulator business, pushed back on details of the proposal, suggesting the proposal is out of compliance with state law.

Board members asked various questions, with City Council President Dana Sande and Mayor Brandon Bochenski speaking in favor of the project, while County Commissioner Terry Bjerke and School Board Member Amber Flynn asked pointed questions about delayed tax revenues and the need for housing.

The meeting saw no official action taken. The project is requesting a 20-year PILOT that would total nearly $12 million in property tax exemptions.