by April Scheinoha
Reporter
A new hotel may be coming to Thief River Falls. At its meeting Tuesday, Nov. 20, the Thief River Falls City Council heard a presentation from a company that would like to study the feasibility of a hotel adjacent to Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Since the council lacked a quorum, it was unable to consider a letter of intent with JLJ Management LLC. It was also unable to consider any other business.
Despite those issues, Jeff and Melissa Jasperson presented their proposal to the four council members in attendance. Jeff Jasperson said they would like to research the possibility of a 55- to 80-room hotel attached to REA. However, he noted 120 days would be required to investigate the feasibility of such a prospect. He estimated that a new hotel would bring a value of $7 million to $8.5 million to the city and help make REA a destination center.
The precise location of the possible hotel hasn’t yet been determined on the REA site. Depending on the location of the hotel, Brooks Avenue may need to be closed.
If the council signs a letter of intent with JLJ Management, that doesn’t mean that the city would be bound to the company’s proposal. It would still have the right to accept, reject or change any items in the proposal.
This wouldn’t be Jeff Jasperson’s first time developing a hotel in Thief River Falls. He has helped develop two Thief River Falls hotel properties in the past 18 years. He was involved in the development of Seven Clans Casino, Hotel and Water Park as well as GrandStay Hotel & Suites. Melissa Jasperson was also involved in the development of the latter hotel.
Mike Lorenson was sworn into office as the council member representing Ward 3. Lorenson will serve the remainder of Josh Hagen’s term. Hagen resigned in July after being involved in an altercation with Council Member Jerald Brown during a committee meeting. Brown has since been sentenced criminally for his role in the incident, and Hagen is next scheduled to appear in court Monday, Dec. 31 for a misdemeanor charge of fifth degree assault. Currently, his case is scheduled to go to trial in January.
Ward 3 constituents elected Lorenson to the position Nov. 6. He will begin serving in his own right Jan. 1, 2019.
Rep. Dan Fabian (R-Roseau) provided a legislative update to the council.
Fabian noted there have been some conversations about universal pre-kindergarten in Minnesota. He noted there will have to be some balance with regard to that possibility since 4-year-old children are the “bread and butter” of daycare owners.
Fabian also spoke about tax conformity and how he hopes that it passes “out of the chute.” He noted that Kiplinger’s has ranked Minnesota as the least tax-friendly state in the country for businesses.
Mayor Brian Holmer signed a proclamation declaring Saturday, Dec. 1 as Northland Community and Technical College Football Team Day in Thief River Falls. The NCTC football team has back-to-back titles as Minnesota College Athletic Conference state champions and National Junior College Athletic Association Region XIII champions.
The team will play Nassau Community College in the 2018 Red Grange Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Ill.