Open for business

Open for business

Apparently, it’s ground-breaking season in Durango. The first event was held Monday, with the groundbreaking ceremony for the “Animas City Park Overlook,” a mixed-income housing development at 150 E. 33rd Street.

The Animas City Park Overlook project is a walkable, infill residential development with 22 townhomes in a prime location in north Durango. The majority of the units will be reserved for local the workforce and long-term residents, with some deed-restricted units as well.

“This project is a pioneering and replicable example of how the Urban Renewal Partnership and other community institutions can partner with private sector entities to accomplish community objectives,” Scott Shine, Assistant Community Development Director, said in a prepared statement.

Found throughout the country, urban renewal authorities (URAs) are local redevelopment organizations that promote public- private partnerships to shape economic growth. In May 2020, Durango City Council unanimously voted to establish a URA, known as the Durango Renewal Partnership. The entity works hand-in-hand with local government and community partners to facilitate redevelopment and reinvestment that reflects community values and economic goals, according to the city’s website.

A spokesman for the City said the application process for the new housing project is currently being set up.

The second event Wednesday evening marked the grand opening of the 32nd Street pedestrian bridge. With the completion of the bridge, people can now travel 9 miles from Oxbow Park & Preserve at the north end of the trail to River Road by Home Depot on the south end without having to cross traffic.

“This project is many years in the making,” Parks and Recreation Director Ture Nycum said in a statement. “The foresight, planning and hard work from the community, elected officials and staff to make this a reality is a testament to Durango’s will and determination.”

The project was not without detractors who questioned spending $3 million on the project given all the other community needs. The funds, however, came from sources reserved for recreational purposes: half from the city’s 2015 sales tax (which can only be used on parks, open space, trails, etc.) and Great Outdoors Colorado, an organization funded by state lottery proceeds.

Next up for the ART: an upgrade to the last remaining segments with cracked pavement, and the biggie: the SMART 160 extension, which will connect the trail to Three Springs.

Top Stories

Pay to play
12/07/2023
Pay to play
By Jonathan Romeo

Pickleball, trails and ski hill top City’s 2024 fun (and not so fun) budget

Read More
Making the rounds
12/07/2023
Making the rounds
By Missy Votel

Looking for a way to leave your permanent mark on Durango? Now’s your chance ...

Read More
The green team
11/30/2023
The green team
By Kathleen O'Connor

Program makes it easier for local businesses to become sustainable
 

Read More
The Eagle has landed
11/23/2023
The Eagle has landed
By Missy Votel

'Weird. And funny' Groth stages final installment in Scout saga

Read More
Read All in Top Stories

The Pole

Thou shalt not pass
11/30/2023

We may sound like a broken record (if anyone remembers what a record is) but some things bear repeating: winter wildlife closures on certain public lands in Durango go into effect starting Dec. 1.  The closures will remain in effect through the end of April to protect wintering deer and elk who have a much harder time surviving than you with your down puffy, warm house and stocked fridge. Just saying. 

Tonight's the night
11/16/2023

KDUR's Cover Night returns this winter, featuring the music of Neil Young

Powered down
11/09/2023

What's the status of the Hesperus Solar project?

It's beginning to...
11/02/2023

How Christmas turned into a four-month affair

Read All Stories in the Pole