GRAND ISLAND – The Hall County Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 during their meeting on Jan. 28 to support the concept of establishment of a sanitary and improvement district for a development with multiple components north of the Bosselman Truck Stop along Highway 281.
Michael Stessman, a principal with Collaboration Real Estate in Des Moines, Iowa, gave a presentation to the commissioners about the project.
The project will include 241 residential units, 109 hotel units, 124 single family homes, four retail pads, and a youth sports complex. The total cost of improvements is $6,218,000. This includes construction costs of extending water lines and engineering costs.
A sanitary and improvement district, according to a white paper from the real estate company, is a political subdivision of the State of Nebraska with its geographic and political boundaries wholly outside of the corporate limits of any city or villages.
Stessman said the next step for the development group is to get approval through Hall County District Court. The group would then come back to the Hall County Board of Commissioners.
“This opens up a tremendous amount of development,” Stessman said.
Stessman said that a sewer line already exists to the project’s property. The location is bordered by Wood River Road on the south, Highway 281 on the east, and Guenther Road on the north and covers 163.4 acres.
According to a handout given to Commissioners, the proposed real estate development is a “dynamic mixed -use project centered anchored by a youth sports complex, serving as a regional hub for tournaments and recreational activities. The development will include a hotel to accommodate visiting teams and families, alongside curated retail frontage that provide shopping and entertainment options. Housing options cater to a diverse market, featuring modern multi -family apartments, stylish rowhouses, and spacious single -family homes.” The development will feature a “community solar initiative, supplying renewable energy to the region and reducing reliance on non -renewable sources. This approach promotes sustainability and supports a shared energy grid for nearby residents and businesses. Designed for convenience and connectivity, the layout emphasizes walkability, with green spaces and trails linking the residential areas to the sports complex and retail zone. The project aims to drive economic growth, create jobs, and position the area as a destination for sports, recreation, and family living.”
The Commissioners’ packet for the Jan. 28 meeting included a letter from Hall County Judge Arthur Wetzel supporting the project.
“Rural areas in Nebraska have a significant shortage of affordable housing. Many rural communities lack sufficient rental units and starter homes for young families. Additionally, the need for high-quality education centers is critical to attract and retain young families in these areas,” Wetzel wrote.
Wetzel wrote that that project will focus on “creating attainable housing units, high quality education centers, and youth sports, while contributing to local job creation, thus empowering families to thrive while staying rooted in their traditions and culture.”
“I believe in this project and how it will positively impact the communities’ current and future growth,” Wetzel wrote. He asked that commissioners approve the sanitary improvement district application.
In other action, commissioners voted 7-0 to transfer a small parcel of land near the South Locust Interchange to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for development of a state recreation area that includes Camp Augustine.
Michael Stessman, a principal with Collaboration Real Rstate of Des Moines, talks to Hall County Commissioners Jan. 28 about a real estate development north of the Bosselman Truck Stop, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
