The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Is housing taking away too much focus from transit?
By Mark Reaman
The Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority (RTA) board of directors held a preliminary philosophical discussion at its January 10 meeting over how owning housing should be part of the organization. The RTA owns nine total units distributed at both ends of the valley and the units are used primarily by bus system operator Alpine Express to house drivers and other employees.
The topic was brought up by board member Liz Smith who said she wanted a bit more clarity on the RTA’s philosophy and plan as an organization when it came to housing. “We own several housing units and I understand it can help retain staff but what is our plan with housing?” she asked.
RTA executive director Scott Truex said the RTA had received a lot of grant funding during the COVID pandemic which allowed them to purchase the nine housing units with local funding. “Right now, that feels like enough,” he said.
“Obtaining those units was a good decision but, again, what is our stand as an organization on housing,” said Smith. “If everyone is happy with the RTA housing status quo, then maybe we don’t need a conversation. There are so many organizations across the valley right now tying housing to jobs.”
“I think it is an interesting conversation,” said board member Laura Puckett Daniels. “Do you want to be a landlord versus focused on the transportation industry? I’ve heard similar concerns from Gunnison Valley Health that wants to focus on health but is dealing with housing.”
Truex said the trend in Colorado is that almost every transit agency in the state has started to accumulate some housing units.
“I’m not saying it’s the wrong thing to do, but how does fit in with the bigger picture?” Puckett Daniels asked.
RTA board member Ian Billick warned that local officials had to walk a fine line when it comes to housing. “We have to be careful not to be schizophrenic when it comes to organizations taking on housing,” he said. “If we want employers to step up, we need to be happy when they do. I would love the RTA and GVH to be able to write a check and get what they want on their terms and not have to deal with being a landlord. That’s not always possible.”
“Maybe I’m asking for regular updates on what’s happening with those units,” said Smith.
Board member Diego Plata said perhaps the board should receive a somewhat regular status report, perhaps twice a year, on the RTA-owned units. Currently they are filled with Alpine employees and all the units must have a long-term lease and not be used for overnight stays of drivers who live outside the valley. Alpine Express in fact has leased a seven-bedroom house in the valley for that purpose.
General manager Kimberly Bolling made clear to the board that having the units “are extremely beneficial. All the tenants are solid and appear to be long-term. Having those units has provided us with a final incentive for drivers to relocate here. It has absolutely been beneficial. Now of course, the landlord issue can be challenging.”
Bolling said for example there have been times she or staff have had to deal with something like a broken microwave, which is not necessarily the best focus for the transit company. “In that regard we have had a bit of a learning curve.”
Truex said tenants are responsible for small day-to-day issues while the RTA is responsible for the bigger issues like a boiler or roof replacement.
“A general understanding and better grip of what is happening with the $2 million in housing could be helpful, especially when answering questions from the public,” said Plata.
Puckett Daniels along with board member Valeda Scribner suggested that the RTA could shift some service responsibilities for the housing to the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority in the future.
Truex said he would set up a specific budget line item for housing revenues and expenditures if that could help clarify some housing transparency issues. He said he could also provide a status report on the housing twice a year for the board.
“The housing units are definitely fulfilling their mission,” Truex said. “I can report back to the board regularly so you can better report back to the public.”
