The Dillon Best Western redevelopment application, previously approved by Dillon Town Council, is set for a vote this Oct. 1.

I urge the citizens of Dillon to vote yes.

The issues surrounding the application are not simple, but the choice is.

The approved design includes condominiums as well as numerous public features including restaurants, retail shops, open spaces, an observation tower and excellent architectural design.

It also includes financing agreements with the Town of Dillon that allows for equal sharing of lodging, excise and sales taxes on the project. The developer also will pay $700,000 to the town as a reimbursement for lost sales tax revenue during the construction phase.

Lastly, with the new underlying metro district in place, the developer can obtain financing for millions of dollars, that goes directly to the town for workforce housing, traffic safety upgrades and other public improvements.

Should the application not be approved the above amenities would go away and developer can build a different design, and bigger, than would be allowed under the current zoning without Town Council approval. There would be no restaurants and retail (the longstanding Best Western and the Arapahoe Café have been in violation of current zoning forever) and, without them, there would be far less funding for public improvements. There would be no $700,000 contributed by the developer to the town.

Development in Dillon is here, it is not just coming. We have the chance to manage and channel it or, in    reality, be left with another large condo building blocking access, views and the public from arguably the most stunning property in Dillon.

Please consider voting yes on Ordinance 02-24 on Oct. 1.

Thank You.