Page 18 - Flathead Beacon // 7.16.14

18 | JULY 16, 2014 IN DEPTH FLATHEADBEACON.COM West Glacier Concerns Misguided, Owners Say
$17 million West Glacier deal won’t change the character of historic village, new and old guards say
By TRISTAN SCOTT of the Beacon
WEST GLACIER – Until recently, quantifying the worth of West Glacier’s quaint business district meant calling it priceless, the winsome appeal of stroll- ing through this tiny oasis fringing Gla- cier National Park difficult to put into words, let alone dollars and cents.
Not so any more.
But even with the $17 million sale of West Glacier’s business properties by the Lundgren family to Glacier Park, Inc. on July 1 – a price tag disclosed in corporate Security Exchange Commission filings by GPI’s parent company, Viad Corp. – owner Bill Lundgren said the deal would not compromise the sanctity of the com- munity and its historic ties to Glacier National Park.
Lundgren and his cousins were the principal owners of the 32-room West Glacier Motel and Cabins, the West Gla- cier Restaurant and Bar (known locally as Freda’s), the West Glacier Mercantile, the West Glacier Gift Shop and other guest services, including a gas station.
The sale also included 3.8 acres of inholdings within Glacier National Park in Apgar – the Apgar Village Lodge, the Cedar Tree Gift Shop and staff housing units in Apgar and West Glacier.
And while the deal raised concerns among locals untrusting of corpora- tions, and frustrated over what some referred to as “secret negotiations,” Bill Lundgren said the family selected GPI because of the company’s long history with Glacier National Park and its con- nection to the area.
“They have a lot of experience and a long track record of historic preser- vation and restoration of the facilities,” Lundgren said. “There have been oth- er expressions of interest through the years. We were flattered but the time
After nearly seven decades of family ownership, Glacier Park, Inc. has purchased the business operations and 200 acres of adjacent land from the Lundgren family that provide a gateway to West Glacier and Apgar Village. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
was not right. Now there is the recogni- tion that it is time. I think we all recog- nize that.”
The purchase price was $16 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. The Company also purchased inventory necessary for the operation of the pur- chased business, including retail, food and beverage and gas station inventory, for $1 million, subject to certain adjust- ments.
The properties are situated on ap- proximately 200 acres at the west en- trance of Glacier National Park, and the sale of the land to GPI was perhaps the
most alarming element of the deal for lo- cal residents who worry about develop- ment.
Jim Clarke, a seasonal resident of West Glacier for 28 years, said he was dismayed that locals weren’t better ap- prised of the negotiations, and worried that the “pristine” acreage would be- come the site of condos or a hotel.
“Up until now the decisions have been made in the dark, and that raises the anxiety of a lot of people,” he said. “Our kids grew up here and we have great affection for this place. We also have a lot of respect for the Lundgren
“I THINK THEIR DECLARATION IS THEY DON’T WANT TO CHANGE A THING. THEY DON’T WANT WEST GLACIER TO CHANGE.”
Bill Lundgren
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