Glacier Town Center land reverts to original owner

After years of Glacier Town Center failing to materialize as envisioned, the 485-acre property is back in the hands of its prior owner, Roger Claridge.

Developers Chad and Bucky Wolford aimed to transform the north Kalispell wheat field into a mix of more than 600 new residential dwellings and about two million square feet of new retail and commercial space.

The Kalispell City Council approved the proposed development in January 2008 and agreed to annex the land, which sits east of U.S. 93 and north of West Reserve Drive.

But the Wolfords eventually proved unable to make Glacier Town Center a reality.

With the property back in his possession, Claridge said he plans to keep farming the land, see what happens with the economy and try to come up with a plan from there.

The City Council in November passed a two-year, phase one preliminary plat expansion for Glacier Town Center, which otherwise was due to expire.   

The action essentially keeps the vision alive but in deep hibernation.

“The approval extends entitlement to develop the land according to that [original] plan,” Kalispell Planning Director Tom Jentz said.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.