The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Need to figure out selection process for homeowners
By Alissa Johnson
Members of the Mt. Crested Butte Town Council indicated they are interested in exploring the option of creating more affordable housing in partnership with Community Rebuilds. The Moab-based nonprofit is currently building a straw bale duplex in the Prospect Homestead Subdivision and would like to partner with the town on future projects as well.
Director of community development Carlos Velado informed the council at its August 2 meeting that representatives of Community Rebuilds had approached the town and the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority about building more units in Homestead. He and town manager Joe Fitzpatrick wanted to gauge the council’s interest level in doing so.
“We wanted to get feedback from the council to see if there was a willingness to begin the conversation about doing it again on one or two more lots,” Fitzpatrick said.
While the town does own lots in Homestead, Fitzpatrick explained that Community Rebuilds is interested in lots owned by Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR). They are flatter than those owned by the town, which means they would require less complicated and cheaper foundations.
As a result, future transactions would occur much like the project already underway in Homestead: CBMR would turn the deed for the land over to the town, and the town would in turn give it to Community Rebuilds.
“I met with [CBMR] and they definitely have a willingness to do what we did last time… We as a town definitely have some needs for housing, and CBMR is doing an internal survey to see what needs they have,” Fitzpatrick said.
Previously, the council had expressed interest in ensuring that town employees had priority when it came to applying for future affordable housing projects. Velado and Fitzpatrick reminded the council that the Community Rebuilds program would have to comply with any requirements associated with the funding that homebuyers receive through the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture), which is part of the Community Rebuilds process. That could include income limits for potential homeowners that would exclude town and CBMR employees.
Councilmember Janet Farmer wanted to know if Community Rebuilds would want the homeowners identified prior to beginning the building process.
“I would think so, but the key is the selection of those buyers,” Velado said, noting that for the pilot project Community Rebuilds already had two individuals lined up for the housing.
“We stated that if we do partner in the future, we’ve got to figure out what the process is to be fair and to get people in those units,” Velado continued. “It is still an item that would need to be worked out.”
“How is the [current] project progressing now?” councilmember David O’Reilly wanted to know.
“It’s going well. I would say as expected. It is a group of students building it, so it’s not going to move as quickly as a standard project with a regular construction crew,” Velado said.
Despite weather and soil issues that delayed the early stages of the project, Velado said the goal is to complete construction by Christmas. “I think that’s an obtainable goal,” he said.
“And the priority [for future homeowners], would it hopefully be the town and then CBMR?” O’Reilly asked.
“That would be the way it goes because CBMR owns the lots that are most attractive,” Fitzpatrick said.
“But Joe, you think it’s possible for us to still have that pecking order even if we are getting the lot from CBMR?” O’Reilly clarified.
“That’s the goal, but that’s what we have to work through with Community Rebuilds,” Fitzpatrick said.
Councilmember Ken Lodovico wanted to know if Community Rebuilds would hire the same local contractors and experts as it did on the first project. Velado said that many local consultants would remain in their positions, but did not know for certain when it came to hiring someone for the straw and timber framing.
“Are you guys aware of any down side with moving forward on this idea?” Farmer asked.
“I would like to see the finished product of what we’re building now before we take that leap, or at least a bit more before we move forward with a definite decision. But being where we are with the housing crunch I think this is an alternative to provide housing. This is the best solution that’s been brought before us,” Velado said.
“We have these lots, the infrastructure is in, and we need housing but have no way to build it. This solves that,” Fitzpatrick said.
After confirming that the town would not be committing to anything by continuing the discussion with Community Rebuilds, Farmer said that she was ready to take on the conversation. O’Reilly indicated that he wanted to see the finished product first, though Fitzpatrick cautioned that might be challenging given Community Rebuild’s desired timing.
Overall, the council was receptive to continuing the conversation. Community Rebuilds representatives are expected to attend the next town council meeting on August 16.
