JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Jamestown Finance & Legal Committee explored the Frontier Village two-year lease and lease fees for businesses on the property Tuesday.

Assistant City Attorney Abby Geroux says the current agreement was for 1 year, but the language in the agreement raised some concerns with property tenants.

Geroux says moving forward, there may be more interest in a 2 year lease to allow for more room for tenants and the city. Among other language to protect the city, Tourism, and the tenants, Geroux says the city had discussed possible lease rates per square footage.

Jamestown Tourism Executive Director Searle Swedlund recommended an $8 per square foot lease rate in order to make each property more equitable and fair.

Currently there are 6 tenants at Frontier Village, 4 of which pay a rate. This includes the Trader Building at $700, Depot at $500, General Store at $550, and Mary’s House at $250.

The proposal of $8 per square foot for each tenant would be $824.67 for the Trader Building, Depot at $478.67, General Store at $936.67, and Mary’s House at $300.

The committee recommended to approve the language of the lease agreement with discussion of the lease fees for the April City Council meeting. The motion unanimously approved.

In other tourism news, Swedlund says they continue to explore ways to grow the Frontier Village.

Swedlund says they’re also looking to deferred maintenance including painting of the General Store & Church along with the costs of establishing the Railroad Park and Homestead Park.

Swedlund says there has been significant support from area organizations and businesses that have gotten them to this point so far.