RSSNEW Vineyards Resort files for bankruptcy
Yakima Herald-Republic
E-mail
Print
Comments
More 'Local'
- The paraeducator dilemma
- How well did you read last week's YH-R?
- Sunnyside jail escapee caught after three years
- Wilson Building has an old look, but a new life
- City spends $16,000 defending Ensey
- Keeping weight off the bigger challenge
- Chinook Pass closed due to heavy snow, avalanche danger
YAKIMA -- The Vineyards Resort, a multi-million-dollar golf and housing destination resort, has filed for bankruptcy protection from creditors, officials said today.
Rich Barnes, a co-managing partner of the 500-acre project southeast of Yakima and northwest of Zillah, said the filing will give developers an opportunity to find additional financing for the project.
“Our basic business plan will not change much,” Barnes said this morning. “We had to do this to protect the asset.”
Barnes said the deteriorating stock market and the inability of the development’s financier to supply financing prompted the filing.
Because of that, the developers could not meet its payments to Stark Investments, a Milwaukee, Wis., hedge fund that holds a $12.9 million bridge loan on the project.
The developers reached an agreement with Stark last month that would allow them to make regular payments on the loan. But without the construction financing, those payments could not be made, Barnes said.
The Vineyards is a $100-million project to develop a championship 18-hole golf course and almost 600 housing units. The development also includes a hotel, retail center and other amenities.
If completed, the project would have an estimated value of $500 million.
Barnes said the developers plan to proceed once the tight lending market eases. They will submit a plan to the bankruptcy court to allow it to continue.
Probably the worst time to undertake such a massive construction project. Why not just do this in phases instead of one major project? That seems ridiculous, and I would hope there is a lot left out of this article to make this project seem feasible.
Report Violation
Posting Guidelines - Updated Aug. 21 2009
Readers are encouraged to use these forums to discuss issues affecting the
Yakima Valley. Debate the ideas presented in stories and other comments, but
refrain from personal attacks and offensive remarks aimed at others; e.g.,
you may call an idea idiotic, but don't say the person is an idiot. The
Herald-Republic reserves the right to remove any comment for any reason.
Examples include material that is obscene, encourages illegal activity or
stereotypes based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and
other factors. Continued violation of these guidelines can lead to
suspension or revocation of your ability to post comments. If you believe a
comment is inappropriate, you can bring it to our attention by clicking the
"report violation" link by each comment. Guidelines revised Aug. 21, 2009.
Registered User?
