GRAND ISLAND, Neb. --  At Tuesday’s city council meeting, developer Woodsonia presented a proposal that could dramatically impact the city for years to come. The formation of the proposed Grand Island Good Life District received the support of the council and Woodsonia said it has submitted its application. 

“We actually just made our Good Life application to the state of Nebraska to form a Good Life District yesterday and we’re excited to take the initial steps on the project,” Hohlen said. 

Director of Development & Partner Mitch Hohlen said they saw an opportunity to do a larger sports-anchored redevelopment project of the veteran’s land which, together with the mall project, would be a $550 million redevelopment project.

“It’s a vision, it’s what I would call it,” said city administrator Laura McAloon. "It is a bold idea. But very, very early in the idea stages."

The 400-plus acres of mixed used development area would include a blend of residential, commercial, retail, sports, recreation and entertainment components. 

The project would be located in the north part of town surrounding the historic Veteran’s Cemetery and Veteran’s home. Woodsonia said the standout feature would be the sports facility, which would have indoor courts for basketball, volleyball and more. 

The project would be named Veterans’ Village. 

Hohlen said it could potentially draw in over 300,000 out-of-state visitors a year.

“We’re just hoping for this really to be, this is the largest real estate development project in central Nebraska’s history," Hohlen said. "We think this is a transformative project.”

The project could see the light of day through the Good Life Transformational Projects Act, a new law passed last year. The purpose of the act is to promote and develop the general and economic welfare of the state.

“It may not happen, it is exciting for Grand Island to have a developer willing to look at putting on a project of that size and that cost in the city,” McAloon said.

“You know, I think it’s going to be a major benefit to Grand Island obviously it’s going to continue to draw in visitors to the community,” Hohlen said. "It’s addressing some major amenities and needs as well." 

Should the state approve Woodsonia’s application and form the Good Life District, the Department of Revenue would reduce the state sales tax rate within the entire district from 5.55% to 2.75%

Woodsonia said this project will create new shopping and housing opportunities and continue to make Grand Island a great place to live. 

Several community leaders issued letters in support of the project. 

Now that they have submitted the application, Woodsoonia should receive one of three answers from the Department of Economic development within 30 days: that it has been approved, that they need to provide more information or that it has been denied.