Residents press council for details on county event center; city staff say county project appears on hold
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Summary
Two residents urged the council to provide more public information and prepare city services for a proposed county event center; city staff told the council the project is a county initiative and, based on recent commissioners' discussions, appears to be on hold.
Two residents addressed the Baker City Council during public comment on Aug. 12 to urge more transparency and preparation around a proposed county event center located near their neighborhoods.
Terry Miller, who identified himself as a local resident, said the council should clarify which services the city will be responsible for and urged officials to plan for police, fire and medical impacts tied to alcohol and large crowds if the facility proceeds. “Who do you serve is the biggest difference? We should serve God first, family second, and our city third,” Miller said in part of his remarks. He also said the city needs to understand the separation of county and city responsibilities.
Holly McKim, who said she lives at 3165 College Street and has been a resident of Baker County for 40 years, expressed concern about construction duration, financial risk and access to project information. “There’s so much information that isn’t out there for the public, and we’d like to know more,” McKim said.
City staff told the council that the event center is a Grant County project and that the county owns the property. Staff reported conversations with county commissioners and the county economic developer, including Shane Alderson and Brian Tweedy, and said the commissioners’ meeting the prior week indicated the project appears to be on hold. Staff estimated the project’s preliminary cost range at roughly $50 million to $100 million before completion.
Staff also reminded residents that the county’s economic development office is the primary source of project details and encouraged residents to contact the county for more information. Council members did not take formal action on the remarks during the meeting.
The council acknowledged public concern and advised residents to contact county staff for project specifics and the city for questions about municipal services that might be affected should the county resume the project.