City staff brief council on Salt Flats land-banking and developer letters of intent for a 21.8‑acre affordable‑housing project

City housing staff and the city attorney told the Grand Junction City Council on Sept. 18 that the Salt Flats project is a city‑led land‑banking and infrastructure effort intended to produce a mix of affordable and attainable housing on about 21.78 acres of infill land.

Tamara and Ashley, housing division staff, described the site’s grant funding and developer selection. City staff said the city received a land‑banking grant (state round described as the Prop 123 land‑banking program) that, together with a city match, financed acquisition. Staff also said the city received a DOLA (Department of Local Affairs) infrastructure award for up to $2,000,000 with an $800,000 city match and that the seller provided an additional $1,000,000 for infrastructure work.

The Salt Flats master plan is intended to produce a variety of housing types and meet the city’s Prop 123 commitments. Staff said grant requirements call for a minimum of 324 affordable units on the site and an overall goal of roughly 400–550 units over 10 years; 70% of all units must meet the affordability categories set in the Prop 123 award (rental units up to 60% AMI; ownership up to 100% AMI), with up to 30% of the site available for attainable market‑rate or commercial uses.

Staff described a…