12/27/01 DI/Developer Still Wants to Build MallDeveloper
still wants
to build mall
By WILLIAM L. SPENCE
The Daily Inter Lake
The recent planning split
between Kalispell and Flathead
County hasn't changed a
Tennessee developer's desire to
work with city officials on a
regional shopping mall in
Evergreen.
For more than two years,
James "Bucky" Wolford has said
that he wants Kalispell to annex
See MALL on Page A_
Mall developer still
wants to cut a deal
the proposed Glacier Mall
site, and that he's willing to
pay to extend sewer and
water lines a mile to the
property.
The county's decision last
week to end its joint plan-
ning relationship with
Kalispell hasn't changed
that, according to Ken
Kalvig, an attorney with
Kaufman Vidal & Hileman
who has been working with
Wolford.
The commissioners had
previously approved the
master plan amendment and
zoning change needed for
the mall. Following last
week's planning split, it's
the county's position that
Wolford can start work
whenever he wants.
"It creates another option
for Wolford — that of deal-
ing exclusively with the
county," Kalvig said. "But
that may not be an option
we pursue. It's still Wol-
ford's intention ... to move
forward in cooperation with
the city. Kalispell has an
opportunity to be a part of
this."
However, if the city adds
unnecessary hurdles or
delays the process signifi-
cantly, he said, Wolford is
prepared to move forward
without municipal services.
"We've said we can and
will get the project done out-
side of city control, Kalvig
said. "Everyone is well
aware the commissioners
want to get our project
done."
The city staff is scheduled
to meet with Wolford next
month to address questions
surrounding the $100 mil-
lion project.
. Those questions, Kalvig
said, include exactly how
the 750,000-square-foot mall
and surrounding develop-
ment would be connected to
city services, as well as
Whether and how Kalispell
would annex the property.
Wolford has purchase
options on about 230 acres
just northeast of the inter-
section of LaSalle Road and
East Reserve Drive.
How much of that would
be brought under city con-
trol is also up for discus-
sion.
The January meeting
should help clarify whether
Kalispell and Wolford can
work together on the mall.
However, the City Council
has the final say on what
conditions to impose.
"Bucky is well aware of
that," Kalvig said. "We'll try
our best to address as many
issues as we can. Then it's
in the hands of the council.
All we want from them is a
decision."
Reporter Bill Spence may
be reached at 758-4459 or by
e-mail at bspence@dailyin-
terlake.com