Jackson Town Council says no to Dauntless hotel plans

JACKSON (WNE) —  On Monday night, the Jackson Town Council unanimously denied Dauntless Development's sketch plan for an approximately 66,000-square-foot hotel and condo building on the corner of South Millward Street and Pearl Avenue.

Dauntless' conceptual proposal called for more than 60 hotel rooms and less than a dozen residential units, as well as an automated underground parking system with two car elevators. The site currently hosts 12 short-term rental condos. 

Councilors and community members have questioned the impact that the hotel would have on the public, including on downtown traffic.

Councilors pointed to a finding for approval that says that proposed developments cannot have a "significant impact on public facilities and services, including transportation, portable water and wastewater facilities, parks, schools, police, fire, and EMS facilities."

"It does have a significant impact, because of where it is," councilor Devon Viehman said. "That corner is so busy, and it is such a small lot to try to fit this much on."

"I'm not opposed to hotel rooms. I think development in the downtown core is important, and it's crucial and indispensable to our local economy," councilor Alyson Spery said. "But I think that this plan ... would require a significant impact on our public facilities."

Mayor Arne Jorgensen also said he was unable to make a finding that calls for proposed projects to be consistent with the purposes and organization of the town's land development regulations. Town councilors concurred.

The denial followed in-person comments by several community members who voiced their disapproval with the project, urging the council to say no. Jacksonites have rallied against the project and big buildings more generally since the proposal was brought before the Town Council in early July.

This story was published on Sept. 9, 2025.