Major Fill For Bass Pro Shop Necessary, But Developers Say It Will Not Worsen Nearby Flooding

  • Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Heavy equipment at site of Bass Pro Shop
Heavy equipment at site of Bass Pro Shop
photo by Wes Schultz

Major fill will need to be added for the $25 million Bass Pro Shop project in East Ridge, but developers said it would not exacerbate nearby flooding, including at Camp Jordan Park.

"Hopefully, we will make the situation better," said commercial realtor John Healy.

He said the project will include water holding areas.

Mr. Healy said sources for the large amount of dirt needed on the 30-acre site have been identified.

He said there are no wetlands on the site and he has not seen any of it with water on it since the development group has had control. But he said the property needs to be raised so there is no possibility that it will incur flooding. 

Developers have already cleared the site, which is by the I-75 freeway to the left of the Camp Jordan entrance road.

Mr. Healy said construction work could start as soon as the end of the month. The $25 million Bass Pro Shop is set to open in 2016.

The work will start as soon as paperwork is complete on the $5 million incentive package approved earlier by the East Ridge City Council.

Bass Pro Shop will take 10-15 acres.

Mr. Healy said developers are in talks with other retail users of the Jordan Crossing site.

He said the East Ridge Fire Hall at the entrance to Camp Jordan will need to be moved, and the developers will pay for that. He said several sites are under consideration. He said there is a possibility the fire hall could be moved, but he said it is likely that it will be torn down and a new one built elsewhere.

Mr. Healy said the project would not have been possible except for the fact that East Ridge was certified under the Border Region Act. 

He said that allows East Ridge to be reimbursed for costs of site work and infrastructure by the state through sales taxes generated by the project.

Fire Hall will have to be moved from near entrance to Camp Jordan
Fire Hall will have to be moved from near entrance to Camp Jordan
photo by Wes Schultz
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