Infrastructure for affordable housing slated for summer

Alleys this year, homes in 2016

Through financial contributions from the Whatever, USA promotion, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and the town of Crested Butte, work will begin this summer to install infrastructure on land earmarked for affordable housing.

The town received word this month of a $150,000 grant from the state to be put toward the infrastructure project. The towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte agreed to set aside $140,000 of the $500,000 Bud Light Whatever payment from last fall for the project. The Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Foundation provided an additional $25,000 in matching funds, which town planner Michael Yerman said helped show significant regional support for the project.
The remaining $230,000 for the project will come from the town’s affordable housing fund, which is primarily financed by the resident occupied affordable housing fees collected through new development applications.
“The town will begin to install infrastructure over the coming summer and will begin qualifying new buyers to begin construction of homes in 2016,” Yerman said. “The first step is getting the infrastructure planned and moving forward in what is shaping up to be a busy construction season.”
“The town will be creating buyer guidelines over the summer and planning for how the town will go vertical with new units for our community’s workers in 2016,” Yerman explained.
Infrastructure work this summer will include laying the utility lines and putting in the alleys on blocks 79 and 80, which are located on the northeast side of town. The work would also include paving the streets and putting in the drainage.
Yerman explained that up to 61 new deed-restricted units could be constructed over the next five years for workforce and affordable housing. He said once the infrastructure is in place and housing construction begins, Block 76, which is located on the north side of Rainbow Park, will also be available for affordable housing development.
Mayor Aaron Huckstep is pleased this project is moving ahead. “Congratulations are due to the town staff and Michael Yerman in particular for putting together a successful grant application. The DOLA grant process is very competitive,” he said. “This award reinforces the project’s merits, and ensures the project will be completed during 2015. The construction will fulfill a long-term goal for the town and enable the future construction of a significant number and variety of affordable housing units in the town.”
“Along with Anthracite Place, the 30-unit rental complex slated to begin construction this spring, Crested Butte will be making a sizable stride to meeting the council goals of providing additional affordable housing opportunities for the community over the next few years,” said Yerman.
Interested buyers should contact Yerman at myerman@crestedbutte-co.gov to get on the email list for updates on this project.