Steamboat Springs - The Colorado Division of Wildlife plans to build a 120-foot-long steel footbridge over the Yampa River at the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area south of Steamboat Springs.

The bridge would link an existing parking lot on Routt County Road 14 with a 50-acre fishing lake created by the old Lafarge gravel pit. Access to the lake will be from the east only via the parking lot. The proposed site of the bridge is about two miles southwest of U.S. Highway 40 and Colorado Highway 131.

The 101-acre parcel surrounding the lake was acquired from Lafarge in late 2004 for a price several hundred thousand dollars less than its appraised value. The purchase was made with funding help from the Yampa River Legacy Project and Great Outdoors Colorado.

“I have been involved in the final plans for the bridge and trail and believe the project will be very beneficial to local and visiting anglers,” District Wildlife Manager Danielle Domson wrote in a memo to the Routt County Planning Department.

Domson said a fisheries management plan has yet to be established. Without a bridge, the only legal access to the lake is by kayak or wading the river at low water.

County Planner Connie Staponski confirmed the DOW has entered the county planning process to satisfy local officials that the bridge will conform to county water body setback and floodplain regulations.

The DOW is pursuing a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and will seek construction bids for the project.

Plans to begin construction this summer depend on receiving bids that come within the budget, Domson said.

The 6-foot-wide bridge would consist of a prefabricated steel truss pedestrian bridge, according to bid documents. It would rest on concrete footers at either end. The bridge would be built in a spot between two islands where the river channel is narrowest.

The work also would include the installation of stream bank riprap to prevent erosion and revegetation of the surrounding area. The contractor also would promise to leave any archaeological sites, burial sites or paleontology finds unearthed by construction, unharmed.

The land surrounding the lake is outside the city limits but owned by the city of Steamboat Springs. An agreement governing the acquisition calls for the DOW to manage it in perpetuity.

In recent years, Yampa Valley FlyFishers has undertaken a stream rehabilitation project along the Yampa within the boundaries of the Chuck Lewis area. The pond affords fishing and waterfowl hunting opportunities.

Staponski said county ap­­proval for the bridge is likely to be acted on at the administrative level and would not involve a public hearing.

www.steamboatpilot.com

5% drop looks good compared with U.S.
Denver again fared much better than much of the nation as home prices dropped at the sharpest rate in two decades during the year ending March 31, a closely watched index showed Tuesday.
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Home prices in Colorado generally fared much better than the U.S. market as a whole during the first quarter of 2008, according to an index considered to be the most comprehensive.
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Despite upbeat report, activity near the lowest level in 17 years   function UpdateTimeStamp(pdt) { var n = document.getElementById(”udtD”); if(pdt != \’\’ && n && window.DateTime) { var dt = new DateTime(); pdt = dt.T2D(pdt); if(dt.GetTZ(pdt)) {n.innerHTML = dt.D2S(pdt,((\’false\’.toLowerCase()==\’false\’)?false:true));} } } UpdateTimeStamp(\’633475043974170000\’);WASHINGTON - Sales of new homes rose in April for […]

More foreclosures possible, thanks to a broken mortage lending system   function UpdateTimeStamp(pdt) { var n = document.getElementById(”udtD”); if(pdt != \’\’ && n && window.DateTime) { var dt = new DateTime(); pdt = dt.T2D(pdt); if(dt.GetTZ(pdt)) {n.innerHTML = dt.D2S(pdt,((\’false\’.toLowerCase()==\’false\’)?false:true));} } } UpdateTimeStamp(\’633475923649700000\’);A recent cartoon in The New Yorker magazine depicts a small […]

Steamboat Springs - Memorial Day in downtown Steamboat Springs proved to be a slightly rainy day of relaxation and outdoor enjoyment for many.

A dozen young skaters shot up and down the ramp at the skate park on Howelsen Hill as residents and tourists alike enjoyed the mild weather.

Although downtown Steam­boat had shoppers darting in and out of stores, the Yampa River Core Trail appeared to be more popular as walkers, bikers, skaters, boarders and runners trekked all along its length.

Tom and Jan Willman, long-time Steamboat residents, said it was unusual for them to remain in town during the long weekend, but a recent shoulder surgery meant Jan needed time to recuperate.

“Usually, we stay away from the crowds,” Tom said. “This is not typical.”

Tom said they had avoided the crowds most of the weekend by staying inside, but the traffic hadn’t proved a problem as they went for a walk Monday afternoon.

“Normally we like to recreate in Northwest Colo­rado,” Tom said, but the couple said they didn’t mind staying in Steamboat for the weekend and take the time to be home.

Michelle House, of Steamboat, said she also used the long weekend as a time to relax.

Asked what she was doing for her Memorial Day weekend, she said, “A lot of nothing. I worked yesterday and then had some cleaning at home.”

The chance to stay home during the weekend is too nice for her to pass up, she said.

“Normally, I stay here because it’s relaxing. I walked the bike path down to Alpine Lumber so I could be near the river.”

Tourists also found the Core Trail inviting for their holiday. Holly and Andrew Landauer, of Denver, were walking with their dog and two young children on the trail Monday afternoon.

Daughter Olivia, 8, said she was happy to have the chance to walk with her dog, Chester. Owen, 6, kept his eyes peeled for a train to pass along the tracks.

“We come here once or twice a year” since they own a cabin in Grand Lake, Holly said. “This year, it just happened to be on Memorial Day.

www.steamboatpilot.com

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The National Association of Realtors reported that sales by homeowners dipped in […]

 How big is the property in West Steamboat?

The Steamboat 700 LLC property is 700 acres. It is a largest part of the 1,100 acre total area in the West Steamboat Springs Area Plan (WSSAP).

What is the WSSAP?

The WSSAP is a guiding vision developed cooperatively between the City of Steamboat Springs and Routt County in 1999 and updated in 2006. The objective of the plan is to comprehensively plan West Steamboat Springs and ensure a coordinated and compatible development in the area west of Steamboat, which has been designated as the area to accommodate Steamboat’s future growth. The West Steamboat Springs area lies northwest of Steamboat Springs, and it is encompassed generally by the airport on the east, the broad curve of Deer Mountain on the north and west, and US 40/Yampa River on the south. Steamboat 700 LLC is using the WSSAP as a framework to guide the planning and development of Steamboat 700.

Who is Steamboat 700’s master developer?

Steamboat 700 LLC is a group of real estate professionals who oversaw some of the most diverse and award-winning master planned communities in Nevada, including Summerlin and Green Valley. The range of Steamboat 700 LLC’s real estate development experience also includes downtown mixed-use projects, office buildings, business parks, industrial warehouses and retail centers. We recognize the importance of creating a world-class community in West Steamboat, but also to tap into the local expertise that is here in Steamboat. We have assembled a team made up primarily of local consultants and experts.

How many homes are planned for Steamboat 700?

Based on current plans, we estimate a range of 1,950 - 2,165 total housing units. This number includes single-family homes of varying lot sizes, condos, duplexes, townhomes and apartments. The WSSAP calls for anywhere between 1,100 and 2,600 total housing units (includes approximately 400 existing homes). Steamboat Springs currently has approximately 7,000 housing units.

How much are homes going to sell for?

That is yet to be determined. The housing mix will be designed with a focus on full-time Steamboat residents, but may also include some housing for secondary homebuyers. This represents a broad

range of housing types and prices currently in Steamboat, so the housing mix will reflect a similar range and variety.

How are you addressing affordability?

According to the WSSAP, 20% of the housing units are to be designated as affordable or “community housing.” Several tools and approaches are being considered for the Steamboat 700 Community Housing Plan, including smaller lots to promote more affordability.

What size of lots and homes will be offered?

We will have the full spectrum of lot sales from 4,500 sqft lots to large 2 acres lots. Based on current plans, we are projecting a majority of the project’s single family home sites to be lots from 4,500 sqft to 8,000 sqft to promote smaller houses and smaller building envelopes which should promote more attainable housing.

When will I be able to buy a lot or a home at Steamboat 700?

It will be at least a year before home and lot sales will commence.

Will there be a bike trail or running trail into Old Town Steamboat?

Based on the proposed draft open space and trails plan being prepared by the City, the Core Trail will be extended out to Steamboat II. Steamboat 700 proposes to connect to that Core Trail in the vicinity of the Sleepy Bear mobile home park.

When will the development be complete?

The development process should be completed in phases over a 10-15 year period.

When will construction in the area begin?
The development of Steamboat 700 into a master-planned community will first require annexation by the City of Steamboat Springs, followed by the installation of essential infrastructure such as streets, water and utilities. Initial infrastructure construction will hopefully begin in 2009. Steamboat 700 will be developed in multiple phases depending on market conditions.

In addition to housing, what other elements are planned for the Steamboat 700 area?
It will be a mixed-use community that will include office and retail (approximately 100,000-200,000 square feet), in addition to housing. Over the estimated 10-15 years of buildout, there will also be open space, parks and trails. Based on current plans, there are 9 acres designated for civic amenities, possibly including a fire station and a school.

Will there be a grocery store?

A grocery store could be one of the components of the retail mix for Steamboat 700, but no final decisions have been made. We are reviewing a number of options for retail and services that will serve the current and future neighborhoods in West Steamboat.

What are the transportation elements of Steamboat 700?

A series of north/south and east/west roads will connect the areas within Steamboat 700 and its surrounding road network, including US 40, Elk River Road (Routt County Road 129) and County Road 42. The plans also establish a new centrally located east/west connection (”New Victory Parkway”) to allow future residents to travel around the West Steamboat area without entering US Hwy 40. The transportation system will also be multi-modal to reduce dependency on cars-service will be provided by Steamboat Springs Transit (SST), and there will be a comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle trail system. Also, the neighborhoods are being designed to position transit stops or a trail within walking distance

of every housing unit. Steamboat Springs Transit will determine the location of transit stops in

Steamboat 700.

What type of amenities will be included?

The full scope of amenities is still to be determined. The current concept plan provides approximately 200 acres of open space and parks, and an extensive trail network. We are still investigating retail and services options that could include a grocery store, ball fields, fitness center, day care, schools, etc.

http://www.steamboat700.com/faq.html

Tackling these basic, inexpensive improvements will help your home stand out from the crowd in a difficult market.
By Marilyn Lewis, MSN Real EstateWhen you put a home up for sale these days, you’re facing stiff competition. In most parts of the country, buyers are faced with huge numbers of homes for sale. Before asking strangers […]