Public Meetings on Pilot Hill Land Purchase Set for Thursday

The Pilot Hill Land purchase will be up for discussion during two meetings scheduled for Thursday, March 22.

Melanie Arnett, Data Coordinator for the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database and Pilot Hill Project Committee member, said the meeting is intended to be an informational exchange, so the committee can let the public know what they can expect to see and also to answer questions and receive public comments. The committee will be discussing possible funding sources for the project as well as management for the future.

The two meeting sessions are scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Lincoln Community Center, at 365 W. Grand Ave.  Arnett said all community members are encouraged to attend.

One of the big topics of discussion, Arnett said, will be how the community can get involved in the fundraising efforts. She said the committee will be launching a number of financing campaigns at this meeting, including a ‘Sponsor an Acre’ program.

Arnett said the committee is able to launch the ‘Sponsor an Acre’ program after the price of the land purchase was decreased from $14 million to $10.5 million, based on the results of an appraisal.

The launch of a public survey will also be announced during the meeting. Arnett said the survey is to gauge the public’s thoughts and positions on the Pilot Hill land purchase. The survey will be available on the Pilot Hill purchase website.

Arnett said the committee has already received quite a bit of feedback from the community, the majority of which she says has been positive.

“Most people understand what a game-changer it will be,” Arnett said.

Arnett said that while the Pilot Hill land purchase will be a great benefit to the community as far as the economy aspect and aquifer protection and preserving open space for wildlife, the project has also brought people together.

“What’s special about this project is that it has unified a lot of diverse bubbles of people,” Arnett said.

The Albany County Commissioners voted to approve the Pilot Hill Land purchase agreement in September.