Mary Zielinski

Washington Evening Journal

July 26, 2006

[Note: This material is copyright by the Washington Evening Journal and Golden Triangle Newspapers, and is reproduced here as a matter of "fair use" for non-commercial, educational purposes only. Any other use may require the prior approval of Golden Triangle Newspapers.]

      But when it came to meeting with the proponents of the Earthpark, council member Brian McDole made it clear he could do without it.

      In fact, he would just as soon that the Earthpark go somewhere else, like Pella or back to Coralville.

      Monday, Mayor Bill Poch told the council that with the city of Tiffin pulling out of consideration, the two remaining towns for the Earthpark site are Riverside and Pella. And, he said, the backers of the project would like to meet with the council August 3 "or whenever it suits you."

      For McDole that could be never - "I am not interested" - and he was equally adamant that Riverside "not give them one red cent."

      Council member Mary Ellen Bower agreed with the money stand, stressing, "We don't have the money."

      The money at issue has been a $25 million community match for the estimated $155 million Earthpark project that initially (as a Rain Forest, then Environment Project) was to be built in Coralville.

      However, the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort CEO Dan Kehl already has come forward with $12 million and suggested that another $8 million could come from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation, leaving only $5 million to be raised.

      Poch explained, "They have to have the city on board to go for a Vision Iowa grant." That grant requires matching funds, McDole noted.

      Poch said that "Most cities would be tickled pink to have this opportunity," leading McDole to suggest they go there.

      He explained that he had concerns about road safety, noting there will be considerable traffic with just the casino, that adding another l.5 million visitors or so on a two-lane road is not a good idea.

      Bower, returning to the money issue, said she believed the Earthpark is a "great concept," but as for Riverside finding any money for it, "It's impossible."

      Council members Todd Yahnke and Randy Sexton each noted the council had said it would listen to a presentation from Earthpark "And, I think we should," added Sexton.

      McDole also criticized the idea that the non-profit Foundation money help with Earthpark- that if education is a criteria, the county's school districts could use the funds.
 

Mary Zielinski

The Gazette

July 27, 2006

[Note: This material is copyright by The Gazette, and is reproduced here as a matter of "fair use" for non-commercial, educational purposes only. Any other use may require the prior approval of The Gazette.]

    Council member Brian McDole made it clear at a Monday night council meeting, for example, that he’d just as soon see Earthpark, as the attraction is known, go somewhere else.

    Earthpark officials expect to pick a site for the rain forest in September. Riverside and a spot near Pella are the remaining finalists.

    ‘‘I am not interested,’’ McDole said. Riverside, he said, should ‘‘not give them one red cent.’’

    McDole said he had concerns about road safety, noting there will be considerable traffic with a new casino that is to open Sept. 1.

    Council member Mary Ellen Bower said she likes the rain forest concept but that Riverside cannot help fund it.

    The money at issue is a $25 million community match for the estimated $155 million Earthpark project, which had been planned for Coralville until Earthpark and Coralville officials couldn’t agree on a land deal.

    Riverside Casino and Golf Resort CEO Dan Kehl has come forward with $12 million and suggested that another $8 million could come from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation, leaving $5 million to be raised locally.

    Mayor Bill Poch said Earthpark officials want to seek a Vision Iowa grant that requires local matching funds.

    Also, rain forest operators need local cash to free up a $50 million federal grant that requires matching non-federal funding.

    Council members Todd Yahnke and Randy Sexton each said the council had said it would listen to a presentation from Earthpark backers and should follow up on that offer.