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Glenwood Springs council unanimously denies $750,000 tax-rebate request for Meadows redevelopment
Summary
After hours of testimony and public comment, Glenwood Springs City Council voted unanimously to deny a seven-year, $750,000 sales-tax rebate requested to recruit a Barnes & Noble to Glenwood Meadows. Councilors called for a formal incentive policy before approving large, one-off deals.
Glenwood Springs City Council voted unanimously on March 20 to deny a request from the owner of Glenwood Meadows for a $750,000 sales-tax rebate over seven years to secure a Barnes & Noble as a new tenant.
Developer Steve Schoflick, who presented the request, said the center has generated significant economic activity over two decades and argued a national tenant would help the complex remain a regional draw. Schoflick told council, “We are trying to create a special place and maintain it,” and described Barnes & Noble's newer store format as a community gathering space with a cafe and curated co-tenancy.
Opponents, including downtown independent bookstore owners Katie Hake and Spencer Chu, warned the rebate would disadvantage small local businesses. Hake told council, “I think it is obvious that this proposal would directly and negatively impact our business.” Several residents urged the council not to give public money to a large, foreign-backed chain and called for consistent, citywide policy.
Council debate focused on equity, economic returns and precedent. Several councilors said incentives can be appropriate but stressed the need for clear, consistent rules. Councilor Godes moved to deny the request; a second was recorded in the public transcript but the speaker was not named. The motion passed unanimously.
Councilors and staff reiterated that an existing Tier 1 sales-tax rebate program remains on the books for smaller businesses, and staff said they will bring a broader incentive policy discussion to an upcoming workshop to define objective criteria for future requests. Mayor Pro Tem Mark O'Dain thanked the public for engagement and urged continued partnership between property owners, small businesses and the city.
What happens next: The developer said he will continue outreach and indicated he would try to recruit tenants without the rebate, while council directed staff to produce a written incentive framework for future consideration.
