It’s time to say good-bye

Members of the local BIA, Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, and town administration met for the first time on Friday to discuss the future of the Rainy Lake Hotel, and agreed to meet again by month’s end.
Yay!
Friday’s meeting was billed as a “positive first step,” but one is left wondering why we’re only at that first step some six years after the once gem of Fort Frances closed its doors for good. And with word this week that kids apparently have been gaining access to the second and third floors via the fire escape, not to mention BIA member Richard Boileau saying that people “have been squatting in it,” it’s clear there is no more time to waste.
To the BIA’s credit, it tried to get the ball rolling more than a year ago by inviting residents to offer their input, suggestions, and ideas as to what to do with the Rainy Lake. But 14 months have since elapsed and we seem to be no further ahead—except for a pledge to keep on meeting, and discussing, and studying.
The town may have until February, 2013 to decide whether or not it wants to vest the building, start the tax sale process again, or let it go. The big question, however, is can we wait yet another 15 months in limbo while the “RL” sits as a derelict eyesore and a definite safety hazard?
With an initial tax sale yielding no takers, and the cost of renovation likely prohibitive, it’s obvious demolition is the building’s fate. Ideally, as has been argued here before, an entrepreneur swoops in, does the job, and then turns that prime real estate into a commercial venture that revitalizes the downtown core for residents and tourists alike, provides jobs, and generates much-needed tax revenue for the town’s coffers.
The conundrum, of course, is that we can’t wait forever for someone to come along, meaning taxpayers eventually would be left footing part or all of the demolition bill, which certainly won’t be cheap.
Unfortunately, demolition is a question of when, not if, and putting it off only will drive up the cost. As such, it’s time to move the discussion past “What to do about the Rainy Lake Hotel” to “How soon can we get rid of it?”
Then the debate can shift to how best to utilize that piece of property, whether as a greenscape as envisioned by the BIA or, better yet, a viable commercial lot.
But first things first. The time has come to say good-bye to the Rainy Lake Hotel and go on.