Wall Street billionaire Joe Ricketts has unveiled plans for his newly acquired 33 hectare Granite Ranch in Wyoming, who has aroused the anger of the local population.
The founder of Ameritrade and owner of Chicago Cubs is completely ready to redevelop the existing ranch into a resort of 22,000 square meters with the name 'The Hawken' – a name derived from a walking rifle that was used a lot on prairies and in the Rocky Mountains during the Rendezvous. era.
'This building offers a unique opportunity to show the unparalleled beauty and miracles of the Yellowstone ecosystem.
“We strive that this resort becomes a place where nature conservation and education generate curiosity and inspiration and motivate visitors to cherish and protect nature, both here and in their own backyard,” the Ricketts team told Jackson Hole & News.
Speaking of the new name, Ricketts spokeswoman Jessica Jaubert told Cowboy State Daily: 'The name has a special resonance with those who are familiar with shooting sports.
'Moreover, the' HAVIK 'element is subtly connected to our nature conservation initiatives, so that a bridge is brought between historical conservation and the environment.
“In everything we do in Wyoming, our focus is on nature conservation and offering opportunities to recreate, learn and grow in the Yellowstone ecosystem.”
Although the official plans remain unclear, a large water feature that looks like a lake, called a 'habitat pond', is one of the striking new elements that are expected to be built.
A brand new main building, 10 new private huts, spa facilities and a nature research center could also be built on the land.
Wall Street billionaire Joe Ricketts is completely ready to redevelop the existing ranch into a resort of 22,000 square meters called 'The Hawken'
The assets of the founder of Ameritrade and the owner of Chicago Cubs is estimated at $ 3.4 billion
According to CSD, a few existing buildings will also be re -used as a housing for employees, where one historic cabin is converted into a heating hut where people can heat up during winter activities.
A Fine Dining Restaurant is also expected to focus on 'locally produced ingredients, a stylish bar and a cozy meeting room'.
The 10 new private huts will be divided into clusters with the title Meadow, Creek and Forest.
Each of these clusters will have its own central gathering space and offer both remote and intimate stay experience.
When he was asked how much the billionaire spends on the construction of the blit resort, Jaubert did not say this, but he said: “I can't share the exact figures. However, we have cleared sufficient resources to guarantee the success of the project. “
The plans for this new resort, however, seem dwarf -like compared to the plans that Ricketts signed for a luxury resort of 20,000 square meters in Bondurant, Wyoming, which caused the locals to worry about their quieter lifestyle.
Residents say that his 'Tondove' plans will 'erode' their culture, wild animals will destroy and increase the costs of living.
He is also accused of behaving like a little boy who wants all his toys. “
Although the official plans remain unclear, a large water feature that looks like a lake, called a 'habitat pond', is one of the striking new elements that are expected to be built. A brand new main building, 10 new private huts, spa facilities and a nature research center could also be built on the land.
A few existing buildings will also be re -used as a housing for employees, where one historic hut is converted into a heating hut where people can heat up during winter activities
When he was asked how much the billionaire spends on the construction of the blit resort, Jaubert did not say this, but he said: “I can't share the exact figures. However, we have assigned sufficient resources to guarantee the success of the project '
Officials in Teton County have also warned Ricketts that he should be limited in his extensions.
Mark Newcomb, the ski guide who has become an environmental adviser and is now chairman of the Teton County supervisory directors, said: 'If he wants to make a resort of it, whatever resort he wants, that's fine. I certainly believe in that right.
“But at a high level I am against the expansion of that resort.”
Commissioner Luther Propst added: 'The economic prosperity of Teton County is based on nature conservation.
Officials in Teton County have also warned Ricketts that he should be limited in his extensions
Residents say that his 'toondove' plans will 'erode' their culture, wild animals will destroy and increase the costs of living
But despite the counter -reaction, Ricketts could be spared from intensive research this time, since his plan has to be assessed by the Teton County Planning and Building Department instead of Teton County's commissioners.
“It is based on protecting our water quality, our fishing, our wild animals and a new use of an area that is so isolated that certainly justifies public control.”
In the first instance, Commissioner NewComb said that he was not alerted by the proposal.
He did not expect that the expansion would be imminent. But now that the plans are known, he is now wondering how the redevelopment and new construction will fit into provincial policy.
“If they have 22,000 new proposals, that might be a bit interesting,” said NewComb.
But despite the counter -reaction, Ricketts could be spared from intensive control this time, since his plan has to be assessed by the Teton County Planning and Building Department instead of Teton County's commissioners.
