County Moves Forward with Historic Affordable Housing Project

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the long-awaited development of the Argyle Lots property in Bridal Harbor, a project that has been in the works for over two decades. The county has owned the four adjacent parcels since 2002, originally acquired to preserve the historic values of the lower Argyle neighborhood. However, in 2018, the county shifted its focus towards developing affordable housing on the site, a move that required purchasing the property from the San Juan County Land Bank.

The county has now selected the San Juan Community Home Trust as its preferred development partner, with plans to negotiate a long-term lease for the property. The proposed lease, which has been unanimously approved by the Home Trust Board, is set for 99 years and aims to create a minimum of 35 affordable housing units. Half of these units will be reserved for low-income households, while the other half will cater to moderate-income families.

Key discussions during the meeting included the lease's stipulations, which restrict the property to residential use only, and the requirement for all development to comply with local zoning and historic preservation regulations. The county's commitment to the project is underscored by a nominal annual rent of $1, which reflects the significant investment in the land.

Officials emphasized the importance of community input in the development process, with the Home Trust already conducting outreach to gather feedback on design preferences. The next steps involve securing funding for the project, with applications planned for various housing trust funds.

The estimated cost of the project is projected to be between $10 million and $15 million, depending on the final number of units constructed. As the project moves forward, the county and the Home Trust are committed to ensuring that the development meets the community's needs while preserving the historic character of the neighborhood.