The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
School board moving forward on discussions of town of Crested Butte option
by Anika Pepper
Gunnison Watershed REJ1 School District superintendent Dr. Leslie Nichols presented a variety of affordable housing options to the school board on Monday night for the district to invest in, in an effort to combat the continuing issue of affordable housing in the Gunnison Valley. Nichols suggested that for this project to be successful, there must be a specific plan in place for these properties.
Nichols said there needed to be a target for the number of units, general location of the units within the valley, how many years the district needs to get from where they are now to having affordable housing options for their teachers, and a full slate of policies supporting their involvement in the housing market as a large employer.
Looking specifically at the Paradise Park housing project in the town of Crested Butte, Nichols said while the cost unexpectedly rose to $590,000 for their duplex unit, the district was prepared. “We budgeted correctly in this year’s budget cycle and we anticipate a $30,000 grant from the Affordable Housing Foundation. We suggest that the remaining $40,000 gap comes from our capital reserves.”
According to Nichols, the Housing Foundation offered a low interest loan on the $40,000 gap, but Nichols explained that they would be able to fund that gap from within the district.
Nichols also recommended continuing the discussion with Gunnison County regarding the units at Stallion Park. Nichols said she does not have a clear view on the prices of those units. “As we develop a plan about housing, county manager Matthew Birnie is putting a lot of pressure on a decision but we have a little bit of time on being thoughtful on our strategy.”
Nichols also suggested looking at options down valley. “The city of Gunnison wants to develop some housing too. We don’t have a plan yet. We don’t know how many units or properties we want here.” Nichols tabled these ideas for a further discussion.
Nearing the end of the presentation on the affordable housing options in the valley, Nichols asked the board how they would like to move forward on the Paradise Park property in Crested Butte. “It will require a formal vote at a meeting eventually,” said Nichols. “We need specific details from the Housing Foundation in order to do a vote, however.”
School board treasurer Dr. Dale Orth responded, “Since all you’re really asking us to do is to approve an expense from a capital fund of $30,000, it still would not allow you to enter into a contract until you have the grant. I would like to see you be able to move forward.”
Courtney Fullmer, school board vice president, asked Nichols if the outcome of 6A factored into the Affordable Housing Foundation’s decision on funding this project. “No,” stated Nichols. “They are not making this decision contingent upon the outcome of the election. I think if 6A passes there will be some options in our plans on this matter.”
While nothing came to a vote at the school board meeting on October 22, the school board seems eager to move forward on the Paradise Park Project as their most viable option for their efforts toward affordable housing in the Gunnison Valley.
