Creating Community Vitality Through Affordable Downtown Living.

The Story

The proposed Washington Place resulted from the success of and demand seen at Northwood Place. The benefits of affordable rental housing has been verified and the KCDC is looking to partner with the city and the Urban Renewal Agency once again to increase the vitality, vibrancy and sustainability of our community.

And, as always, the KCDC is utilizing Ketchum’s Comprehensive Plan as guidance, realizing that affordable workforce housing has been long-standing priority to ensure the city remains a sustainable community.

What

As currently designed by Williams Partners Architects, Washington Place will be made up of 23 apartments, the majority of them being 1 bedroom units given the demand at Northwood Place and the downtown core location.

The building will be designed to be energy efficient, with a contemporary design to fit in seamlessly with the surrounding neighborhood. With sustainable features to keep utility costs down and the ability for residents to walk to town, this development will not only allow renters retain more of their paychecks, but also help increase the vibrancy of Ketchum by putting more people in the streets, stores and restaurants. Other amenities will include decks, onsite parking, storage lockers, energy efficient appliances, garbage disposals, microwaves, washers and dryers.

A manager’s office will be staffed throughout the day and a community room will be available to all residents.

Where

211 East First Street, Ketchum, at the corner of Washington Avenue and First Street.

When

If the KCDC receives the Low Income Housing Tax Credit award from the Idaho Housing & Finance Association this winter, then construction could begin in spring 2012 and completed in time for resident occupancy as early as summer 2013.

How

Like Northwood Place,  this development will be funded through a low-income housing tax credit allocation from the Idaho Housing & Finance Association. The application was delivered in September with notice of the awards expected in early December.

Importantly, the Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency would be making a critical contribution to the development in the form of a low-cost, long-term lease for the piece of city-owned property. This property was purchased by the URA 2007 for the express intent of creating affordable workforce housing.

This development was conceived by the KCDC and development partner Greg Dunfield, also a driving force in the KCDC’s Northwood Place. Local architects Williams Partners were selected in an open request for qualifications process and Dale Bates, of Living Architecture, will be consulting on the energy sustainability features.

Why

Known to be a critical piece of a sustainable community and a strong economy, affordable housing keeps families residing within the city and increases the amount of money spent in local shops and restaurants.

The need for affordable workforce housing has been clearly outlined in Ketchum’s Comprehensive Plan, which notes, “Due to high land costs, the market is unable to respond to the shortage of affordably priced housing. Therefore, the trend in Ketchum is defined by the replacement of small, older housing units with high end and moderate market rate commercial and residential development…It has become apparent that the City must take the lead to facilitate the development of affordable housing.”

“The City of Ketchum recognizes the need for a balanced and sustainable housing supply for residents, employees and visitors. An adequate and diverse housing supply in Ketchum is needed to ensure the viability of town life and businesses.”

- Ketchum Comprehensive Plan