GALENA, Ill. — Developers of a proposed resort in Galena made the case for their project at a public meeting Wednesday night that drew about 125 people to Galena Middle School.

The presentation addressed the Parker resort, which development groups True North Quality Homes and Bien Vie aim to build on nearly 100 acres that include Galena Marine Hospital. Developers want to construct more than 100 cottages and amenities such as a restaurant, vineyard, event center and more at the site.

Since the project was announced in 2022, a large group of citizens has opposed it.

Project architect Jim Baranski said Wednesday’s meeting was intended to communicate information about what he called a “very carefully considered and designed project.”

He reminded attendees of the project’s planned construction phases, beginning with Phase 1A — the planting of five acres of vineyard — which was completed in 2022.

Baranski said developers have since been working toward submitting a final planned unit development plan for Phase 1B.

That phase would include the restoration of the Marine Hospital, the planting of five more acres of vineyard and construction of roadways, water and sewer infrastructure and stormwater management systems. A winery, 28 cottages and hiking trails also would be constructed as part of that phase.

The remaining three phases would add 92 more cottages, bringing the total to 120, along with more hiking trails, a café and a main building that would include a restaurant, event venue, spa and 20 hotel rooms.

“It’s going to be very beneficial for business owners of Galena, (and) we want to partner with many of them,” property owner and developer Dave Hooten told attendees. “We know tourism is the biggest economic driver of this area, and we think we’ll just add to that.”

Developers also discussed the plans for project infrastructure such as stormwater management systems, lighting, roadways and landscaping.

Michael Bianchini, a civil engineer with Wheaton, Ill.-based firm Webster, McGrath and Ahlberg, said the project will conform with city regulations that runoff rates on the developed property can be no greater than they would be in undeveloped conditions.

He said developers plan to use a system of detention basins, gardens, native plantings and more to reduce erosion. Bianchini and other presenters also said 84% of the Parker will be landscaped area, meaning 81 of the 97 acres would consist of prairie, gardens, vineyards, orchards or woodlands.

“Our goal is not only to create a picturesque and unique experience for those visiting the Parker, but to enrich … the site by respecting the existing local flora and fauna,” said Lacey Carlson, associate landscape architect with Chicago-based company Teska Associates. “This team has been collaborating to build a future for this site in a way that pays homage to the treasured, historic past.”

After the 90-minute presentation, attendees’ submitted written questions were read aloud by a moderator.

Developers answered questions on topics ranging from the project’s potential impacts on local lodging providers and city utilities to concerns about noise and traffic.

Baranski said the timeline for beginning construction is currently unknown, as the project is currently tied up in court.

In 2022, Galena resident Wendy Clark sued the city and developers.

Last year, Judge John Hay found in favor of Clark on one count of the lawsuit and voided the city’s approval of the planned unit development for the project as well as the city’s annexation and rezoning of land.

After the city and developers asked Hay to reconsider, he reinstated the annexation but upheld his ruling voiding the rezoning and approval of resort plans.

The city is currently appealing that decision, and Baranski said once the case is resolved and “the project gets a go-ahead,” construction could possibly start during the summer of 2026.

Asked what the estimated value of the property would be if the project was completed, Hooten said it would likely be “in the $30 million range.”

County Administrator Lisa Kaiser told attendees that a $30 million lodging property could bring in $469,000 per year in property taxes. This, she said, could potentially lead to a “significant” drop in property tax rates for other residents, assuming that no local taxing body increases its rate, which she acknowledged was unlikely.

Responding to residents’ concerns about increased traffic if the resort were built, developers said Parker visitors would be encouraged to walk or bike into town or take a resort shuttle, which they said would limit the number of cars added to the already-busy downtown district.

When asked if developers had considered that the majority of Galena residents appear to oppose the project, Baranski said developers do not believe that to be true.

“There’s a certain segment that certainly are opposed to the project, but we also know that there’s a very large contingent of people who are in favor of the project, they just happen to be a little quieter about it,” he said, drawing mutters of disapproval from the crowd.

After the meeting, attendee Pat Smith said she felt the meeting was well-conducted, but she remained “adamantly against” the project.

“It will reduce business for lodging, hotels and (bed-and-breakfasts) in our area,” she said.