The purpose of this page is to serve as a record and to inform voters and supporters about what our elected and unelected officials are up to in regards to our historic rodeo and fairgrounds.
After receiving over 100 emails and lots of public comment, the Town of Jackson is moving forward with their plans to place housing at the current rodeo and fairgrounds site despite opposition from the residents of Teton County. As you read below, please note the lack of regard for the will of the people.
Elected and unelected bureaucrats are moving forward unless we continue to fight back.
December 15, 2023
December’s State Land & Investment board meeting was a real battle! The citizens of Teton County and Wyoming lost in a 3-2 vote, with Governor Gordon, Treasurer Meier, & Auditor Racines voting in favor of giving the Town of Jackson a $1.25 million grant. Unembarrassed and financially conflicted, the private developers themselves, Tyler Davis and Christian Pritchett, who received a FREE 99-year lease at the Teton County Fairgrounds and $2.25 million in grants from the Town, were two of the only four private citizens to speak in favor of the state bailout.
December 13, 2023
Watch this 9 minutes clip as Secretary of State, Chuck Gray, tries to get some clarity with the Housing Director and Town Attorney on the “low-income” housing requirement. Warning: it gets more uncomfortable the longer you watch.
December 12, 2023
Here are two documents that directly refute Housing Director, April Norton’s, and Town Attorney, Lea Colasuonno’s, testimony on Dec 7th to the SLIB and citizens of Teton County.
The first is one of two letters we have from the WCDA. This agency made a grant to the “low-income” project at the fairgrounds. This letter clearly states that the “low-income” piece expires in 30-years. Ms Colasuonno told the SLIB it lasted for 45-years. Of note is that in the previous November SLIB meeting, WCDA personnel took the microphone and clarified during public comment that the “low-income” period lasts for ONLY 30-years.
The second is the application from the Housing Authority and Town of Jackson where they change their story and clearly state in the third paragraph that the “low-income” period lasts for 50-years.
So which is it? 99-years? 50-years?? 30-years? Why not clearly spell it out in the ground lease?
December 7, 2023
The Town’s website said the developers received $2.25 million, but their application to the SLIB board says they only received $1 million! Plus there are several other discrepancies! https://www.tetoncountywy.gov/2383/Flat-Creek-Apartments-at-400-West-Snow-K
November 2, 2023
The Town of Jackson still cannot not explain how the “low-income”housing piece is required for the duration of the 99-year FREE lease. Here is the link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPC_KPJjjyY
February 24, 2023
“The Public” guarantees MILLIONS in loans for developers.
January 28, 2022
It is hard to read Councilman Arne Jorgensen publicly backtracking on the fairgrounds. Hey, if there are no plans to develop the fairgrounds, why not extend the lease 99-years like you did for a private developer? Just asking.
We appreciate David Iverson covering this important issue!
https://cowboystatepolitics.podbean.com/e/weekend-update-how-to-steal-a-fairgrounds-128/
January 24, 2022
We learn that the developer only has to have “low-income housing” for 15 years of the FREE 99-year lease on the public fairgrounds. This is a horrible deal for the citizens of Wyoming.
January 19, 2022
As the Town of Jackson begins experiencing amnesia regarding their plans to completely develop our historic fairgrounds, we share this recent workplan to remind them about what they’re up to.
January 17, 2022
A reception hosted by Save the Rodeo & Fairgrounds in Cheyenne is a HUGE success! We appreciate the attendance of Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, many legislators and members of the executive branch.
December 29, 2022
After realizing that the town of Jackson has no intention of saving our historic fairgrounds, a state-wide campaign is rolled out.
December 14, 2022
We learned that the Teton County Fair Board is no longer allowed to spend all the revenue they pulled in the year before. According to new rules set forth by Teton County at the December board meeting, the board members are now only allowed to spend 85% of the previous year’s income. This seems intended to run the Teton County Fair into the ground.
October 13, 2022
STRGs learns that Teton County employees are telling contractors that they do not want to spend a lot of money renovating the old Fire/EMS station at the fairgrounds to turn it into the new Exhibit Hall because it will be torn down in 2030.
August 15, 2022
The Housing Authority has pulled their Zoning Map Amendment for the fairgrounds. The Housing Authority is relying on a brand new interpretation of the Land Development Regulations (“LDRs”) by the Town of Jackson’s Planning Director, Paul Anthony. This new controversial zoning ruling allows the Town to circumvent the normal re-zone process which means that the citizens cannot bring a Referendum against this as we had hoped. August 15 th may have been the last chance for our voice to be heard on this new housing complex. Councilman Jim Rooks was the only dissenting vote against moving forward without a rezone. He stated that although he was in favor of this housing complex at the fairgrounds, he felt that taking the additional three months to go through the normal rezoning process to allow that citizens a chance to weigh in was the right step to take. Mayor Morton Levinson, Councilman Jorgensen and Councilwomen Jessica Sell Chambers voted to rely on the new interpretation by the Planning Director. Councilman Jonathan Schechter did not attend the meeting.
Although the Exhibit Hall will move across the street to a bigger and newer facility, the Town of Jackson has entered into a contract with Blue Line Development and Snow King Partners. Our Town Council is allowing this group to build a 48 unit complex they will own and manage. In 15 years the Town has the first right of refusal on the property at an undetermined price or terms. We are not receiving any rent for the use of the land. The Town Council is essentially donating this land for the project although the Town will hold title to the land. How is this best serving the citizens of our Town? At the $5 million valuation given to the “donated” land by the Housing Authority, a 5% cap rate over 50 years for that one acre parcel would generate $57 million dollars in revenue for the town, so how are we allowing a group to use it for free? Also, why are we letting a private group manage a housing complex on Town of Jackson public property? At the recent Town of Jackson workshop, Housing Director, April Norton, stated that she did not want to manage a housing project where we received federal dollars. Then why are we moving forward anyway?
Our Fairgrounds have been owned by the people of our town since 1941 but now we are entering a new era. Although denied by the Town Council, it should be clear that the Town Council does not want to go through the normal rezone process because that would allow for a Referendum. The citizens would be able to decide how they want to use this Town property, not the Housing Authority or Town Council. Three more months at this point is immaterial. What is evident is that the Town Council fears rejection of their flawed decision by the voters.
August 11, 2022
The Jackson/ Teton County Housing Department pulls their rezone application. The Town Council has decided to move forward WITHOUT rezoning the property at the historic fairgrounds. The LAST chance for public comment will be on Monday, August 15th, beginning at 9am. Remember how Councilman Jonathan Schechter and others were adamant that this housing was not being built at the fairgrounds? Well, they are now calling it the fairgrounds so they can push this thing through much easier.
August 9, 2022
We have endorsed Peter Long for Teton County Commissioner! He also promises not to build any housing at the fairgrounds or relocate them.
August 4, 2022
Our documentary film premiered to a crowd of 130 people at the Exhibit Hall! Attendees also heard from Save the Rodeo’s endorsed candidates. Thanks to everyone who joined us!
August 3, 2022
The Town of Jackson Planning and Zoning Office withdraws their application for a zoning change at the fairgrounds. They are planning on ramming this thing through without public consent.
July 28, 2022
Councilman Jonathan Schechter attempts to redefine what comprises the fairgrounds, and KHOL reporter, Kyle Mackie, goes along with it. Listen or read the story here. “One ad also described that housing as being located “at the fairgrounds,” though Schechter said it’s not part of the 12.3 acres across the street that’s leased to the Teton County Fair Board by the town, and which is a separate parcel from the site of the new housing project.“
July 21, 2022
Save the Rodeo Grounds LLC endorses Alex Muromcew for Teton County Commissioner. Alex says, “We are a community first, but it’s hard to have a community when there are no gathering spaces left. Since the 1940’s, the Fairgrounds have been a place for Teton County to come together for the County Fair, the Rodeo, parade staging, ice hockey, soft ball, winter dog parks and more! Yes, we need more work force housing, but that need must be balanced with our need to remain connected. As your next County Commissioner, I’m committed to building infrastructure without giving up the heritage makes us who we are.”
July 17, 2022
Our Town Council unanimously votes to approve the the contract for signatures from the developer of the Exhibit Hall despite the fact that the land has NOT been rezoned and the grant for $1.25 million was not approved. So they have no assurance they can build yet or the money to pay for it, but there is a HUGE push to sign this contract. Clare Stumpf from Shelter JH publicly comments that the fairgrounds are an optimal place for housing and the rodeo is not historic.
July 13, 2022
Councilman Jonathan Schetcher calls for local taxpayers to pay $1.25 million dollars for the 48-unit housing complex that they are attempting to build at the fairgrounds if the grant doesn’t come through that was initially identified. Note that the citizens are not asked to weigh in. https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/news/town_county/town-may-end-up-on-the-hook-for-1-25m-for-snow-king-ave-housing/article_8c141110-05ee-58d9-b64c-c841af5503ae.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share
July 4, 2022
Dozens of supporters walked through downtown Jackson Hole during our annual Independence Day Parade!
June 29, 2022
Save the Rodeo & Fairgrounds endorses Kat Rueckert and David Scheurn for Town Council. Both candidates promise not to take one more inch of fairgrounds land or support the Exhibit Hall being rezoned for housing. David and Kat have been volunteers for the Save the Rodeo Grounds movement since the beginning.
June 21, 2022
The Town of Jackson’s Planning Office files a request to rezone over one acre of land at the sight of the current fairgrounds to build a 48-unit housing complex. This move is directed and supported by Mayor Morton-Levinson, Councilmen Arne Jorgensen, Jonathan Schetcher and Jim Rooks, and Councilwoman Jessica Sell Chambers.
May 16, 2022
Leading to death by a thousand cuts, Councilman Arne Jorgensen announces his intent to be re-elected and he credits plans to build more housing at the current fairgrounds as one of his greatest achievements. Read more about that here.
“One of the things I’m most proud of is the low-income [rental] tax-credit project on West Snow King [Avenue],” he said. “That one took a lot of effort, working with the state of Wyoming to unlock those funds, those federal funds. And this is providing new housing, rental housing, at a truly affordable level
Councilman Arne Jorgensen
May 11, 2022
In a huge victory for the “Save the Rodeo & Fairgrounds” movement, the SPET initiative to move the fairgrounds and rodeo is removed from consideration. Read here for more information.
April 28, 2022
Save the Rodeo Grounds obtains a copy of the $40 million SPET proposal submitted to the Town Council and Board of County Commissioners by Teton County employees. This would be matched by another $10 million dollars from the taxpayers.
April 25, 2022
During the Joint Information Meeting (“JIM”) work plan presentation, the following “future plan” was adopted by the Town Council and TC Board of Commissioners after being presented by Tyler Sinclair. Not a single town of county elected official spoke against the Fairground Feasibility Study or work plan.
April 12, 2022
During the monthly Teton County Fairboard board meeting, Rachel Grimes, a Teton County employee who is serves as the Teton County Fair & Fairgrounds Manager, reported that she has submitted a $40 million dollar proposal to the Town & County to relocate the fair and rodeo grounds. The Teton County Fairboard did not vote on this decision and it is unclear who directed Ms. Grimes and other county employees to craft the proposal.
March 9, 2022
A $40 million dollar SPET proposal is submitted for further consideration to the Town Council and TC Board of Commissioners. No other details are given.
January 21, 2022
Emails to Councilman Jonathan Schetcher go unanswered regarding his plans for the rodeo grounds. Mr. Schetcher is up for re-election in November 2022, so we feel that the public deserves to know his intentions.
December 21, 2021
The Town of Jackson issues a press release in response to the growing movement to save our historic rodeo and fairgrounds.
“No one at the Town has any intention of changing the use of the Fair or Rodeo Grounds without thorough planning, a broad look at all options and possibilities, and ensuring there are places, whether at the current location or elsewhere, for events like the Fair and Rodeo to continue to take place within our community.”
Tyler Sinclair
Save the Historic Rodeo Grounds hosts a Town Hall to share the facts and history surrounding our historic rodeo and fairgrounds.
December 14, 2021
June 7, 2021
The Joint Information Meeting minutes between the Teton County Commissioners and the Town Council seems to indicate a possibility of re-zoning the fairgrounds. When asked about this , it explained by the County Attorney’s office that “this proposal was to study the current fairgrounds site for possible re-zone to allow for affordable housing on the site. The work plan is a plan for what the long range planners are supposed to be working on. So the idea was that in January 2022, the long range planners would start taking a look at how the comprehensive plan and potentially zoning could be changed to allow for housing on the current fairgrounds site. The town owns the property. However, the county currently leases the property from the town in order to have the county fairgrounds located there. The lease expires in 2026……. they were wanting some discussions now about the potential for development on the property prior to the lease expiring in 2026…..“
