WINONA, Minn. – The Winona Port Authority told a consortium of developers to put up or else. Commissioners voted 7-0 to give the consortium’s only three more months to present a proposal for a riverfront hotel-apartment building. The consortium has had exclusive rights for two years to deliver a plan – but it hasn’t happened even after three extensions. No more, the commissioners said. If the consortium doesn’t respond by July, the Port will invite others to explore possibilities for the so-called Lot 6 property behind the Cine 4 movie house and downtown mall. The consortium to which the city had awarded exclusive negotiation rights for the prime property — C.D. Smith Construction, Latsch Partnership, and Rivers Hospitality – has been jockeying behind the scenes more for more e attractive financial incentives from the city.
Verbatim
Mike Hansen, Port commissioner: “It really is time that we can wash away some of the other excuses. Somebody has a budget. Somebody knows what it’s going to cost. Somebody knows what our participation level is. The marketing team of these three very good firms can make this happen. This is not a new thing for them. At a certain point, they have to show up and make a deal.”
Lot 6. Adjacent to current farmers’ market site at Main Street stub to the Levee Park. Also known as the 60 Main project.
Port Authority members
> Ernest Gorman, term to 2024.
> Michael Hansen, to 2024.
> George Borzyskowski, to 2026.
> Steve Young, to 2 026.
> Michael Cichanowski, to 2028.
> Dana Johnson, to 2028.
> Laurie Lucas, to 2028.