Basalt Town Council Greenlights Affordable Housing and Community Space Development in Willits

The Basalt Town Council unanimously approved a contract for the development of affordable housing and a community space in Willits during their meeting on Tuesday.

The contract covers design and entitlement services for a project at a parcel in Sopris Meadows. Aspen’s Charles Cunniffe Architects and Basalt’s Design Workshop were awarded the contract.

“We’re really excited about this project,” said Rich Pavcek of Charles Cunniffe Architects. “Our entire team lives and works in Basalt, and we love that we also get to play here. We have a deep history in this community, and we’re looking forward to engaging in meaningful discussions about the town’s needs, both in terms of affordable housing and community space.”

The town of Basalt has owned this piece of land since the approval of what became the Willits Town Center project, as previously reported by The Aspen Times. However, the exact size and number of units for the development have yet to be determined.

The parcel, which has been vacant for over 20 years, was donated by its former owner, Michael Lipkin, for public purposes. It’s located on the southern side of The Arts Campus at Willits, near the intersection of Willits and Lewis lanes.

“This is an ideal spot for transit-connected housing,” said Town Councilperson Hannah Berman. “WE-cycle has noted that the employee housing nearby is the third most-used station after City Market and the bus stop. So, this is a great location for new housing. With the Willits Connectivity Plan in place, we can ensure those connections are strong.”

Mayor Pro Tem Ryan Slack raised concerns about what the community space might become, with discussions so far centered on a childcare facility or a recreation center.

Basalt Planning Director Michelle Bonfils Thibeault mentioned that this was a topic she addressed during interviews with the contract applicants.

“I asked whether they would be open to exploring options for the community space, such as a daycare, a rec center, or a flexible community space, ensuring that the community's voice is heard in determining the primary use,” she said. “So, this is still an open discussion.”

Thibeault hopes to begin the sketching phase of the project within the next three to six months, but she also wants to ensure ample time for public outreach without delaying the project.

A 2018 assessment by the town determined that approximately 15,000 square feet of building space could be accommodated on the site.

The Basalt 2020 Master Plan outlines affordable housing goals for the community, emphasizing the need to provide housing that meets the needs of residents across various demographics, incomes, and collective needs, according to town documents.

The vacant land between Willits Town Center and the Willits residential neighborhood is owned by the town and designated for public use. Town officials are considering leasing it for an early childhood facility, according to The Aspen Times archives.

In fall 2021, the town of Basalt introduced a ballot issue through the Basalt Forward 2030 process, seeking voter approval for bonds partially allocated for affordable housing projects. This measure passed with 72% approval, leading the town to allocate $6 million out of the $18 million approved for affordable housing initiatives.

During a work session in late 2023, the Basalt Town Council directed town staff to move forward with the development of affordable housing on the vacant Sopris Meadows parcel.

The town issued a request for proposals for the parcel on May 10, 2024, with submissions due by July 15, 2024. Out of 10 proposals, Charles Cunniffe Architects and Basalt’s Design Workshop were selected.

Charles Cunniffe Architects provided a base bid of $362,100 for public outreach, planning, design, and engineering services for the affordable housing and community space development. Funding for this is included in the town’s 2024 budget for affordable housing projects in Basalt.

Of this amount, $200,000 will be covered by a grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs More Housing Now and Land Use Initiative.

“So, there’s another level of momentum behind this project to get it going,” said Thibeault.

The town of Basalt will cover the remaining $162,100.

According to the contract, the two firms must prepare a plan and schedule for public engagement. They are required to collaborate with town staff to identify and categorize groups and key stakeholders to be involved in the process. This also includes two check-in sessions with the Basalt Town Council, one check-in with Basalt Affordable Community Housing, and an overall engagement summary.

The firms are also tasked with providing two community engagement opportunities before submitting a land use application. Each engagement will include both in-person and online components. The first engagement window is intended to gather community input on goals for the property, particularly for the community space. The second will focus on refining design options before the application is submitted.

The engagement process will also include project branding, communications and advertising, focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders, an online survey, an in-person outreach event, and Spanish-language translation services.

The contract outlines two main tasks: The first involves a consultant team site visit, a pre-application meeting, architectural and site plan studies, a sketch plan PUD review land use application, and a sketch plan review.

The second task includes the preparation and review of a preliminary and final land use application.