The Burleigh County Commission plans on developing a portion of the Missouri Valley Complex rather than selling it as raw property, with the idea it will bring much greater revenues.

At Monday's meeting, the commission discussed the results of an appraisal conducted by Bill Knutson on the property located south of Bismarck Expressway and west of Yegen Road, consisting of about 35 acres.

"In my opinion, there are two options," Commissioner Doug Schonert said. "We either sell it as raw land or we can plat and develop and sell lots. It will be worth a lot more money if we develop the land."

Schonert said that he wasn't in favor of the county being a developer and competing with other developers in the community. But he added that the proceeds from the sale have been dedicated for capital improvements for the remainder of the fairgrounds.

Schonert, a local real estate agent, said that as undeveloped, the county could expect about $1.50 per square foot. As developed land, he said, it could bring between $5 and $10.

"We'll be using the revenues from the sales for a public purpose, and the more money we generate, the better off we are," he said.

Commissioner Jerry Woodcox agreed that the county should plat and develop the property, putting lots up for sale.

"In my mind, we'll get the best bang for our buck. If we sell it as raw land, we won't get anywhere near what we will as developed," Woodcox said. "If we sell it all, a developer will do the same thing and reap all the profits. Not that I want to go into competition, but in this case, since the public good is the intent of the sale, I agree with Commissioner Schonert that we should plat it and sell lots individually."

Commissioner Jim Peluso also agreed that the county should develop the property and sell the individual lots. But he cautioned the commission to take its time. Peluso, who works for the Bismarck Park District, which manages the fairgrounds, said that there isn't a plan for development of the fairgrounds so there is no need to hurry into anything.

"If we can get more money for the land, that's a benefit to the county fairgrounds," Peluso said.

"At this point, I don't see us moving forward out there (fairgrounds) for a while."

Property values don't appear to be going down, and in fact are doing the opposite, said Commissioner Mark Armstrong.

He made the motion to plat the property according to a diagram that was provided by auditor-treasurer Kevin Glatt.

The motion was unanimously approved.

"I don't think there is any rush to do this; we've got time on our side," Armstrong said.

Commission Chairman Marlan Haakenson reiterated his belief that money from the sale of the property could be put in the county general fund and used as tax relief. But the other commissioners made it clear they had voted to put proceeds from the land sale back into development of the fairgrounds.

The proposed plat for the land being put up for sale indicates 10 lots ranging in size from 2.69 acres to 4.19 acres and includes development of interior roads with access to Yegen Road and Apple Creek Road.

Development should include utilities, streets, storm sewer, sanitary sewer and water.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)