Virginian RV park proposal would prioritize government workers for 2027 summer spaces

The Housing Supply Board and housing staff want the Town Council and County Commission to direct a request for proposals for a hired manager to run the 90 Virginian Lane RV park for the 2027 and 2028 summer seasons. The recommendation would offer spaces to the general public plus "a certain number of spaces to local workers," with priority to government employees (town, county, Forest Service, Park Service, state highway department) staff report. The report sets no count of worker spaces and makes no mention of private-sector seasonal staff. Workers staying longer than 30 days would need Town of Jackson approval, because the park is a legally nonconforming campground limited to short-term stays. The deal structure also changes. Today the operator holds a ground lease and pays the Housing Authority a flat fee. Under a management agreement, the Authority would pay the operator a fee and keep the park's profits for workforce housing. Staff cite tax-exempt bond rules, which bar ground leasing the site to a private operator.

The same report lays out the record. Board and Council authorized a 2025 season ground lease with Virginian RV Park LLC on December 10, 2024, for a flat $500,000. The 2026 season fee dropped to $400,000 because $900,000 total is the bond-compliance ceiling under a ground lease. Some of that revenue funded a $250,000 schematic design loan to Pennrose, whose negotiations the boards ended in July. No fee for 2027 is estimated; bidders will set it.