peakbagger
Well-known member
Like the Energizer Bunny it keeps going and going and going. Probably the more accurate analogy is
Balsams Update - Go Big or Go home
- Thread starter peakbagger
- Start date
Andrew
Active member
Oddly didn't read this in yesterday's Colebrook Chronicle, but just read in this morning's Caledonian Record "Balsams Secures "Critical" Approval For Redevelopment" and goes on to describe that the Coos County Planning Board conditionally granted the site plan approval, contingent on meeting conditions set in the record of decision.
peakbagger
Well-known member
My understanding is the record of decision is pretty extensive. One of the big plusses of the delay in the project is the planning board has really upped their game in following the rules development rules that they brought up to date at the beginning of the project. The prior approach was basically shoot from the hip and trust the developer to do it right. There was a few prior personalities on the planning board that used to old approach that ae now off the board. They also have professional planner in the background making sure things are not forgotten. Sadly, some members of the ZBA, tens to stick to the old approach as they rarely need to meet. I think if an when the Cog goes for the big project up near the summit that the process is going to be lot more extensive than the cog would like.
Its interesting your comment about the Colebrook Chronicle, they seemed to have checked out of the latest Balsams permitting cycle. They used to be good source of news but of late they seem to be ignoring the project. It is strange as its going to impact Colebrook the most. The question is positively or negatively so the owner of the paper may not want to get advertisers upset. The Berlin Sun has also pretty well checked out on news in general. They didnt even report that Randolph voted to rebuild a big chunk of Durand Road in election results. I guess I need to see what the Caledonia Record charges for a subscription as its seems to be the only local source of news.
BTW the county is also meeting next week to approve the 35 million in economic development bonds for the Balsams. My guess is if there is no activity this summer up there its probably a good indicator that its not going anywhere.
Its interesting your comment about the Colebrook Chronicle, they seemed to have checked out of the latest Balsams permitting cycle. They used to be good source of news but of late they seem to be ignoring the project. It is strange as its going to impact Colebrook the most. The question is positively or negatively so the owner of the paper may not want to get advertisers upset. The Berlin Sun has also pretty well checked out on news in general. They didnt even report that Randolph voted to rebuild a big chunk of Durand Road in election results. I guess I need to see what the Caledonia Record charges for a subscription as its seems to be the only local source of news.
BTW the county is also meeting next week to approve the 35 million in economic development bonds for the Balsams. My guess is if there is no activity this summer up there its probably a good indicator that its not going anywhere.
Andrew
Active member
Yeah, that really struck me also but figured it was due to Friday publication date; meeting Wednesday so maybe not enough time to include before print? Likewise I might assume regarding 'real' news with The Sun; oh well, weekly now, so not so much the purpose of these papers anymore....but I think the Chronicle was always weekly. In the case of The Chronicle you could also think that the big school building vote and town meeting reporting could have taken up most of the available oxygen this past week. But I had already noted their lack of continuing reporting on Balsams for some time.
Edith really was an excellent, focused, and informed reporter.
Edith really was an excellent, focused, and informed reporter.
Scubahhh
Member
This from The Balsams yesterday…
thebalsamsresort.com
BALSAMS SECURES “CRITICAL” APPROVAL FOR REDEVELOPMENT
March 18, 2023 By Robert Blechl Appearing in the Caledonian Record Lancaster, NH Balsams Secures “Critical” Approval For Redevelopment Financing Plan Goes Before County Commission On Monday “…
thebalsamsresort.com
Good info. Thanks for the link!This from The Balsams yesterday…
BALSAMS SECURES “CRITICAL” APPROVAL FOR REDEVELOPMENT
March 18, 2023 By Robert Blechl Appearing in the Caledonian Record Lancaster, NH Balsams Secures “Critical” Approval For Redevelopment Financing Plan Goes Before County Commission On Monday “…
peakbagger
Well-known member
Thanks for the link. My guess is DOT like many others did not place a high priority on requests by the Balsams group. The project has lost a lot of credibility over the years in the area with many, and with limited resources my guess is the DOT just set the priority low to respond to the latest request which was not presented until fairly late in the recent permitting process. If it looks like its going somewhere I expect DOT will redirect resources. The key to the Balsams group is to have a workaround that allows a permit to be approved so they can go out for financing.
The next issue is where the rest of the funding will come from? The 35 million Economic Development bond from the county was represented previously as infrastructure improvements. The developer had claimed previously that the hotel/base station will be funded by a separate group with the Balsams group funding the ski area, the golf course and the balance of the resort improvements. Ultimately the major profit to the resort is the build out and sale of thousands of vacation units. Phase 1 previously was claimed be in the 300 million dollar range but I expect that is no longer valid. Ultimately the claim was at the completion of the final phase that the project would be in the 900 million dollar range.
BTW more info on the bond CONSULTANT OUTLINES PROPOSED BALSAMS FINANCING PLAN, RISKS TO COUNTY
The next issue is where the rest of the funding will come from? The 35 million Economic Development bond from the county was represented previously as infrastructure improvements. The developer had claimed previously that the hotel/base station will be funded by a separate group with the Balsams group funding the ski area, the golf course and the balance of the resort improvements. Ultimately the major profit to the resort is the build out and sale of thousands of vacation units. Phase 1 previously was claimed be in the 300 million dollar range but I expect that is no longer valid. Ultimately the claim was at the completion of the final phase that the project would be in the 900 million dollar range.
BTW more info on the bond CONSULTANT OUTLINES PROPOSED BALSAMS FINANCING PLAN, RISKS TO COUNTY
True, but not enough willing day trippers to Dixville Notch is my bet when there are plenty of good mountains to the south, west and east.
