Public Invited to Tour Powder Ridge Before Hearing

Town officials are planning to invite the public to Powder Ridge prior to the public hearing scheduled on Tuesday, May 24.

While details are still being worked out, First Selectman Jon Brayshaw said he would like to give residents the opportunity to see firsthand the condition of the property, which has fallen into disrepair since closing several years ago.

Patch recently documented the to the property.

Check back with Patch for updates on the dates and times of the tours.

Original Story

Officials with Alpine Ridge LLC of Fairfield, PA will present their plan to restore Powder Ridge ski area during a public hearing on Tuesday, May 24, at 7 p.m. at .

Alpine President Dennis Abplanalp told Patch he is looking forward to sharing the company's vision to bring the once popular ski area back to prosperity. 

"We hope the people who support the idea of bringing Powder Ridge back will come out to see what we're planning," Abplanalp said.

Following Alpine's presentation, company officials will answer questions from residents. The town has tentatively scheduled a Town Meeting afterwards, at which time residents will vote on whether or not to sell the property.

Alpine agreed in March to purchase the Powder Ridge from the town for $1 million. The two sides currently remain in the process of 90-day due diligence period.

Under the contract, Middlefield will retain the development rights to the property and Alpine will be required to invest a minimum of $2 million and provide downhill skiing by Dec. 31, 2013.

"It is a good deal, we will get our ski area back. For the people who are concerned about the sale price they need to really understand that we are keeping the residential development rights," selectwoman Mary Johnson said.

The town purchased Powder Ridge in 2008 for $2.55 million and offered to sell it to Alpine in May 2010, after several failed attempts to sell the property.