The newly proposed River Centre at the site of the former Jasper Cabinet building has received perhaps the final boost it needed for plans to get underway.
Wednesday night the Jasper City Council agreed to offer its approval of bonds of economic development revenue. Also agreed upon was the development with River Centre, LLC to establish six public use projects in conjunction with the River Centre development adjacent and near the Jasper Train Depot. The property has been vacant since Jasper Cabinet closed it’s doors in 2002.
The River Centre development will include a hotel, apartments and retail space.
Tuesday attorney Bill Kaiser representing developers discuss the lease agreement between the city and the River Centre LLC with the Jasper Board of Public Works and the layout in regards to parking at the location.
A proposed improvement of lighting and a parking plan was submitted and is awaiting review. Of the property to be developed the city has cleared the last house from the area.
The parking was also discussed that it may aid in overflow parking for the nearby Jasper train depot and that it will be up to the city to designate parking in the case of events that are held at both locations at the same time. The issue of maintaining public access to Mill Street through the streets of South Jackson and Newton Streets were also made aware.
A ground lease between the city and the River Center was approved Tuesday morning with the lease having insurance in place for parking and pedestrians with the liability lying with the River Center.
Now that it has received the city’s wishes development of the new River Centre project will begin this coming year with plans to commence with construction this spring.
