Bluebird Village, a proposed low-income housing project, on the present City Hall/Fire Station and Police Department site in Ketchum is well on its way to becoming a reality. Construction is anticipated to start in late summer after approval from each of Ketchum’s governing bodies.
Recently Greg Dunfield from GMD, a Seattle-based development company reached out via two Zoom meetings for public comments on three exterior material options for the two buildings. The options were not met with any enthusiasm, the general feeling that the materials made the buildings look like either a mental institution or a prison and were not compatible with neighborhood properties.
The participants were more focused on getting answers to broader questions about the location of this project in our downtown core on a very valuable site that should, in fact, be auctioned off. The proceeds from the sale could then be used to purchase a better outcome for low-income housing.
Mr. Dunfield was questioned about the proposed 50-foot height of the two buildings, the number and size of parking spaces—some of which will be tandem spaces—and the fact that not all 56 units will have a place to park. He responded by saying that the plan for these buildings is much like what is planned in urban environments like Seattle and contended that what works there should also work in Ketchum.
The City Council has approved ordinance changes and transferred the City property to KCDC in order to make this project happen. KCDC will lease the site to GMO for $1 a year for 100 years. GMO has secured Tax Credits to make this project happen. But is this the right location for high density housing in Ketchum?
Post your comments at participate@ketchumidaho.org.
Gwen Raney
Ketchum
Post a comment as
Report
Watch this discussion.
(3) comments
7C's, if as you say there are 5000 jobs waiting for housing, then this 50+ housing project is doomed before it's finished. Doomed in the sense that as a solution to housing, a 100 more people will be arriving next year and the year after that, on and on. 7C's what's needed is a plan to handle this population explosion in a more comprehensive way, not giving away valuable real estate in a panic.
Warm Springs ranch has what 70 acres, why not build a more people friendly project there, not the whole 70 acres, but a portion.
What the "Bluebird" project represent is the failing of all elected officials to address the housing problem in earnest, looking to the future, not be pushed into making bad decisions.
Ms. Raney, I was on the Zoom call, and heard the comments, some were insulting. The designs include brick, natural wood and solar panels. The land is zoned for this development and our workers are in need of housing that gives them the opportunity to live and work in Ketchum, instead of commuting up to 50 miles each way. Have you looked for a rental recently? People are spending unto 50%. of their income. There is a saying that apples here, "don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." I support our workers and Bluebird Village.
You make a lot of assertions here. What is the source of your data? There has been no study done on the Ketchum workforce in over a decade. And you realize that teachers in town make too much to live on Bluebird. Just ask the heads of the local schools. This is hotel worker housing for the new Marriott. It will be the third largest structure in downtown Ketchum after the Marriott and the Limelight. It’s a bad building and a bad solution to a problem that need some real data and analysis to come up with a realistic and community supported plan.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In