Business & Property News

AFFORDABLE HOUSING LATEST

Local governments and nonprofits have doubled down on affordable housing efforts, with several plans in the works to create more long-term residence options for the local workforce. The Town of Mountain Village last year launched the Community Housing Initiative to oversee a number of programs, like the Your Equity Support (“Yes”) Program, as well as a zoning and development incentives, all aimed at increasing housing options for local workers. This winter the Town issued requests for proposals to build more community housing in the Meadows neighborhood and to add on to the deed-restricted Village Court Apartments. Additionally, the Town bought 37.6 acres in Norwood and is currently working with Norwood officials to develop 70-100 units of affordable housing that would benefit the region.

Meanwhile, the Town of Telluride has been equally as busy, with construction nearly complete on the 30-unit Sunnyside development (a collaboration with San Miguel County), and the similarly sized Voodoo Lounge in the conceptual design review stage. After a hiatus during the pandemic, the town’s Southwest Conceptual Plan is back in motion, a plan that outlines various improvements and proposes construction on plots of land owned by the town. Most recently, the Town and County announced plans to acquire 105 acres off Last Dollar Road, near the Telluride Regional Airport, to build more workforce housing. “It’s all happening somewhat simultaneously,” says Adrienne Christy, a member of Telluride’s Town Council, “We’re chipping away at [affordable housing,] but this won’t solve the problem all on its own.”

And, in nearby Norwood, efforts come in the form of Pinion Park, which will include 24 deed-restricted units. The Telluride Foundation broke ground on Pinion Park midMarch and hopes to complete the project by the fall, when a lottery will take place to assign housing, prioritizing Norwood workers.

Melissa Plantz

TELLURIDE SCIENCE LOOKS FORWARD

Change is coming for the historic Telluride Depot, property of Telluride Science and home of the Telluride Regional Medical Center’s Covid-19 clinic. Telluride Science launched phase two of its Telluride Science and Innovation Center project in the fall, with a fundraising push to ensure that renovations begin by this fall in preparation for a 2024 opening. The medical center will vacate the Depot this summer. “While the exterior of the historic building will remain unchanged, the interior will be transformed into a modern, state-of-the-art facility,” explains Annie Carlson, director of donor relations. “The deck and patio off the back will be expanded to create a beautiful setting to brainstorm and collaborate outside.” She adds that the community hub will host experts for workshops, classes, and talks, then serve as an event space for rent when not in use by Telluride Science.

SHOPPERS REJOICE WITH NEW RETAIL

The arrival of several new businesses on the local retail scene has us excited. Free People Movement, the activewear spinoff of popular clothing brand Free People, opened a pop-up shop in the Madeline Hotel and Residences last fall, featuring the brand’s first in-house ski line with everything from fashionable snow pants to knit headbands on display in the cozy, welllit space. This summer, the shop will stock warm-weather activewear and adventure items as “FP Movement” gears up for involvement in the Telluride Yoga Festival.

Meanwhile, Rustler Supply, a joint venture between Rebecca Adams and Crossbow Leather’s Macy Pryor, is a newcomer to Telluride’s main street. The shop’s updated take on wild west fashion has been well received. “Rustler Supply has been a hit … everything we dreamed it would be and more,” says Pryor.

A plan is in the works for Rustler to join forces with sister store Crossbow Leather for a custom hat-shaping bar, which will shift inventory between the two shops. Yep, lots to be excited about this summer for shoppers in Telluride and Mountain Village.