THE CLARKE AGENCY, INC.

Cathie Elliott, Real Estate Broker/Owner

Article from Gunnison Country Times, Thursday, December 1, 2005.
Chris Dickey

Another residential development is under construction in the city limits of Gunnison. Like other recent projects, this one is targeting the local working class.

The Blue Mesa Town-homes is a two-building, eight-unit project that will offer home-buyers three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths (1,680 square feet total) for $195,000. The project is located in the 300 block of S. 11th Street, on four city lots that are zoned for high-density residential.

The property came on the market this summer and was snatched up quickly by the Aspen-area company Ruby Construction.

"It was exactly what we were looking for," said Ruby Construction owner Brooke Paparo. "We had a town-home project in mind. We did some market research and talked to a lot of different people in Gunnison, and this is what we felt was needed."

Paparo, who also has local commercial development experience in the Riverland Industrial Park near Crested Butte, has hired a local team to spearhead the Blue Mesa Town-home project. Crested Butte architect Michael Helland designed the buildings and Skyline Construction is the lead contractor.

Cathie Elliott of The Clarke Agency is listing real estate agent, and Mike Dawson of Wilderson, O'Hayre, Dawson and Frazier has handled the legal work for Paparo.

"I have a great team that makes me feel very sure-footed," Paparo said. "I'm very confident in what we're able to do."

Unlike condominiums, town-home owners own both their structure and the land upon which it sits. The remainder of the parcel, including a courtyard and off-street parking, will be owned in commons by the eight town-home owners.

This subtle distinction over condos, where the ground is not individually owned, is beneficial when it comes to obtaining bank financing, Elliott explained.

Cameron Lewis of Skyline said the units will be built to match or exceed all of the latest codes. Solid insulation, in-floor heating, sound-proof walls, double-pane windows and tile countertops will come standard. The town-homes also come complete with new appliances.

Lewis broke ground on utility work Tuesday. He said they planned a winter construction so that the town-homes will hit the market by the time the next buying season rolls around. They are scheduled for completion in May, and Elliott is accepting pre-orders already.

The project breaks down to about $114 per square foot of new construction.

"We are definitely targeting affordability," Paparo said. "We simplified the project to maximize living space. We're aiming for the average Gunnison person; a family, rancher, teacher, regular employees. Our goal is to give them something nice and affordable."