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Baker County approves purchase of St. Francis de Sales historic cemetery property; debate over event center plan and outreach continues
Summary
The commission voted to buy the St. Francis de Sales Catholic property (historic cemetery parcel on College Street) for $45,000 using economic development funds; the acquisition and a proposed multiuse event center on adjacent county property drew extended public comment over outreach, traffic, cemetery stewardship and eminent domain fears.
The Baker County Board of Commissioners voted to purchase the St. Francis de Sales historic cemetery parcel off College Street for $45,000, funding the acquisition from the county’s economic development account. The motion passed following a lengthy public discussion about a long‑planned proposal to develop a multiuse event facility nearby.
County staff and Economic Development Council (EDC) representatives described a multi‑year planning process and a feasibility study that, they said, shows potential revenue for the county from sports tournaments, conventions and other events. An EDC presenter said the county would use transient lodging tax (TLT) revenue and grants for acquisition and site planning and that no county general fund dollars were committed for land acquisition.
The planning effort and the proposed event center drew strong public comment. Several residents expressed concern about outreach and potential…
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