ArtSpace zeros in on new location for Grand Lake workforce housing

A developer provided Grand Lake trustees two concepts for a brand new workforce housing mission on the town on Monday.

Each plans would take maintain on a collection of adjoining heaps alongside Park Avenue, between Pitkin and Hancock streets. General, the plan was effectively obtained amongst trustees, a welcome signal for the mission after residents pushed again towards hopes to construct by the Grand Lake Heart earlier this yr.

Grand Lake was one in all a handful of Colorado communities awarded a Area to Create workforce housing mission by way of a aggressive course of furnished by the state. The state chosen ArtSpace, a nonprofit developer, to handle the mission, which is able to embody live-work house for artists and creative-types.

The heaps that kind the newly recognized website again as much as the alley behind Spirit Lake Merchants, Grand Pizza and different native companies, which might put the brand new housing mission squarely within the downtown space, lower than a block away from Grand Avenue, if it involves fruition.

On Monday, builders pitched pursuing one in all two potential tasks for the location — one that includes a 20-unit blueprint and the opposite with 30 housing models. The driving motive for the totally different sizes is funding, ArtSpace Chief Operations Officer Will Legislation instructed trustees.

He stated the 2 probably sources for major financing — the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority or the Division of Native Affairs — every have totally different standards they need met, and the 20 unit mission may fulfill DOLA whereas the 30-unit plan would higher go well with CHFA.

As offered Monday, the idea for the 20-unit format would home the mission on 4 publicly owned heaps. The plan contains an “L” formed constructing with “shotgun fashion models” on the primary ground, permitting for boutique-type storefronts with residential dynamics on the bottom of these housing models.

The storefront ideas are designed to be considerably versatile, which might assist accommodate totally different artists’ wants and a seasonal manufacturing schedule if mandatory, builders stated.

“Within the again, we’re envisioning, we’re calling an ‘artwork court docket,’ however it’s a neighborhood house connecting to a commons space,” added Scott Munn of Munn Structure, explaining that the house could possibly be used for internet hosting public conferences and neighborhood occasions.

“That may activate the nook and anchor the nook in a pleasant neighborhood method,” he stated.

Parking would go on one of many heaps in what was described as an “environment friendly” slotted parking design. The constructing’s second story would maintain a gallery or commons space and extra housing.

Not a lot totally different from the smaller plan, the bigger plan is a bit greater with most of the identical components. One of many predominant variations is that the 30-unit idea plan requires the city take possession of one of many non-public parcels adjoining to the 4 public heaps.

Most of Monday’s discussions on the trustees’ workshop assembly revolved round fears of misplaced parking within the downtown core and the way the city would possibly make up these areas.

It stays to be seen precisely what number of parking areas the city may lose with the mission, if any, till the designs are full. The designs offered Monday have been solely idea website plans, created to assist trustees get an thought of the scope of the mission and the proposed location.

“I need to make clear that I assist the mission, however I simply suppose parking continues to be a difficulty and we have to get as a lot parking as we are able to again there,” Trustee Cindy Southway stated. “If which means the city must price range sooner or later to purchase extra of these heaps … I simply suppose we have to look towards the longer term. We’re going to wish that parking.”

With trustees amenable to the idea, the following step is for the developer to interact the general public and get extra suggestions on the proposed location and plan.

In different enterprise:

• Trustees agreed to shut the donation heart on the Grand Lake Heart as a consequence of rising COVID-19 instances and tightening restrictions. The donation pickup, which opened following the East Troublesome Fireplace, will shut after this weekend as trustees wished to permit individuals to get by way of the vacation weekend. The plan is to reopen earlier than Christmas, relying on COVID-19.

• Trustees acquired an replace on the standing of the Grand Lake Cemetery and pledged the city’s assist within the restoration effort.

• In workshop, trustees have been agreeable to persevering with work on a brand new city marquee. The city used to have two marquees. The one in City Park was taken down this yr as a result of it was beginning to fall and posed a hazard. A design contest for a brand new marquee winner was chosen on Monday. There have been some public feedback asking the board to contemplate if putting the marquee within the park is the proper determination. The dialogue is ongoing.

• The board adopted the 2021 price range and saved the city’s mill levy unchanged at 6.812 mills. City employees described the 2021 price range as comparatively conservative, particularly on any income projections, given the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.

• Trustees authorized a contract with the Grand Basis to have the muse administer a $35,000 donor suggested fund for the city. Grand Lake desires the cash distributed to nonprofits that straight enhance the lives of Grand Lake residents.