Full speed ahead for Fairfield Inn project

The proposed development agreement between the City of Decorah and Rebound Enterprises, the company that wants to build a Fairfield Inn & Suites on the site of the closed Bluffs Inn, won approval on a 6-1 vote Monday night by the Decorah City Council.

The agreement sets out the terms of a tax abatement the developer will receive on the increased property valuation of the Bluff Inn property, due to the Fairfield Inn construction.

The vote came after Rebound Enterprsies CEO Breet Reese asked that language requiring a yearly city council vote on the tax abatement be eliminated.  Reese told city council members such language would hamper Rebound Enterprises' efforts to get loans for the project.  He said lenders were "looking for some assurance" that a future city council couldn't undo the work of this city council.

Of the seven city council members, just one--Charles Lore--voted against removing section #2 from the development agreement.  Lore said he favored the project, but didn't approve removing the annual schedule of votes.

Reese says Rebound Enterprises now will file an application by the end of this month with Marriott, seeking a license for a Fairfield Inn and Suites.  Marriott will reply by January 15th.  If the franchise is granted, demolition of the Bluffs Inn would begin early next spring.

City council members also approved giving additional hotel/motel tax proceeds to Decorah Jobs, which will use the money to negotiate an agreement with Rebound Enterprises to assist with demolition and site redevelopment.  The vote was 5-2, with Bill Wagner joining Chuck Lore in opposition.