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As residents in one the oldest buildings on the mountain, the owners of units in Ski Time Square Condominiums consider ourselves to be good citizens of Ski Town USA. Some of us may not live here full time, but to all of us, it's home - if only in our hearts.

When we are then portrayed in a slightly unfavorable light in an article (Road solution still a puzzle - Atira Group returns to city for guidance on Ski Time Square) by Tom Ross dated April 17, I feel it necessary to present the other side of the story. As a member of the board, I know the extensive resources (both funding our able attorney and time donated by the various professions representing the association on the board) that have been dedicated to our association's negotiations with Atira/Cafritz.

There are basically two things I want to clarify:

1. We are definitely in favor of developing the Ski Time Square area - it's long overdue, and can only be an asset to the city and the ski area, provided it's done properly. The blueprint to follow for success already has been laid down in the Urban Renewal Plan produced at great expense by the city. Part of this plan considered a second road in addition to Ski Time Square Drive, which at first we were rather skeptical about, but we have come to see the advantages that it would bring to the area and have agreed to allow it to pass through an area over which we have "restrictive covenants."

2. Our secondary concern has been the garage facilities for our owners, which presently reside under the parking lot over which our neighbor (Atira/Cafritz) has proposed to build a new structure. To compensate us, our neighbor has generously offered us parking within the new structure. However, we feel we have to protect ourselves to ensure that this parking will actually be built and in a timely fashion, especially given the current national economic climate.

Resolution of these issues has been the crux of our negotiations with our neighbor. As you can imagine, the challenges and interests of both parties require due diligence to resolve and bring to a satisfactory win-win agreement. This takes time, patience and flexibility. Negotiations, into which we have entered wholeheartedly and in good faith, take time to ensure both parties' interests are protected. It was disappointing therefore, to read the article that portrays us as something of a roadblock to progress. We feel that we can now see a light at the end of the tunnel with these negotiations, and hopefully our neighbor feels the same. Indeed they are correct when they say "the devil is in the details."

Jerri MacMillian

Steamboat Springs