City of Spirit Lake announces new development

The Spirit Lake City Council will consider rezoning an area in the southwest corner of the city to allow a significant new development to occur. Developers Marty and Alex Benskin, Benskin Developers Inc, based in Des Moines, and its Iowa Great Lakes Development Division CEO, Glen N. Maddox Jr., will coordinate the development team for the creation of the Iowa Great Lakes Lifestyle Center.

The combined retail, residential, and 18 hole golf course encompass approximately 415 acres; includes a clubhouse, hotel, and a variety of housing with over 600 lots and condos to be constructed by Weitz Golf. The course will be designed by Nicklaus Design, the global design firm founded by golf legend Jack Nicklaus and is widely regarded as the world's leading golf course design firm. Troon Golf, the world's largest, upscale, daily public fee, brand golf management company will manage the courses daily operations.

The new development would be sited on the large area between Highway 71 and Hill Avenue, north of 175th Ave, and south of 41st St. Some of the property is not presently part of the City of Spirit Lake but annexation is planned. Details of the development remain to be finalized.

Mayor Blain Andera said, "This proposed project represents a big leap in the growth of Spirit Lake. This project is a huge opportunity for the City and shows how much we have to offer."

The City Council will consider the rezoning on Dec. 9. The rezoning will allow golf course facilities to be placed in multi-family residential and highway commercial developments. A portion of the area will also be subject to rezoning from highway commercial to multi-family uses.

City Administrator Mark Stevens said, "This is one of the largest development projects to occur in the Lakes Corridor in some time. We are fortunate to have the caliber of development that is proposed."

Stevens indicated that both the city and the developers have placed a high priority on protecting environmental quality. Stevens noted that creating a golf course helps preserve open space and protects water quality.

The development team also includes Beck Engineering, Simonson Architects and Benskin Realty Inc. Earthwork is slated to begin in the spring of 2009, with initial construction to start shortly afterward.