Pueblo planners OK $30 million urban renewal apartment complex project
An urban renewal project designed to transform a long-vacant property into the site of a $30 million apartment building will bring "one of the most needed" housing options and modernizing energy into downtown after getting a green light from the Pueblo Planning and Zoning Commission last Wednesday.
The first phase of The Bluffs Urban Renewal District calls for a 97-unit apartment building and parking on a 3.3-acre site south of West Fourth Street and north of Corona Avenue. The $30 million building will overlook the Arkansas River to the west and "provide one of the most needed housing units to the most underserved demographic in Pueblo," said John Wark, development team representative.
The property is owned by inhabX LLC, of which Robert Valentine of Pueblo is the registered agent, according to the Colorado Secretary of State's website. The project will get help from the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority and it is one of "at least five new urban renewal projects" that the authority is working on, said Jerry Pacheco, executive director.
"This particular plan has a sole developer and a single property owner. It has already received subdivision and rezoning approval from the city," Pacheco told the planning commission members Wednesday.
Why The Bluffs is important to Pueblo
"Pueblo basically has zero housing units and there are no vacancies in Pueblo for properties like this, so we are trying to fill that niche," Wark explained. "It is taking a 100-year old vacant lot and bringing energy into downtown making it appear more modern."
Wark described the apartment complex as catering to the "active lifestyle tenant." It will be pet friendly and include a dog walking area and it will be the "first in Pueblo with all-electric heating and cooling" systems powered by solar panels, he said.
Rents will average in the $2,300 to $2,400 range, he said. The complex will feature studio, one bedroom and two-bedroom accommodations.
"There were nine properties we had to assemble for this project. It is a pioneering project in every sense of the word," Wark explained. "Some people expect this to fail and they are leery that it can be done. The soil requires bedrock foundation and the building has been engineered for economy of space at that site."
The six-story building is designed to fit both the site and the neighborhood. Wark said about 1-1/2 years of thought went into the planning and "I think it is going to be an awesome building."
In unanimously approving The Bluffs Urban Renewal District, the planning commission made a finding that the project complies with the area's comprehensive plan.
Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo expansion OK'd
If all goes as planned, the construction of an approximately $11.4 million expansion to the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo should get underway shortly after the first of next year. The planning and zoning commission on Wednesday also gave unanimous approval to a plan to expand the river channel and construct a new boathouse.
Located at 190 Riverwalk, the three story, 38-foot-high boat house building will include a river-level garage for passenger boats, second-floor offices and a third-floor venue for community events.
The boat house plan calls for the building to have an open third floor covered by a shade roof with an enclosed kitchen and storage area. Public restrooms will be included.
"It will be a nice focal point. You can look off the top of the roof across the river channel," said Steven Meier, city of Pueblo parks director and HARP board representative.
The expansion also calls for lengthening the river channel to the northeast to Santa Fe Avenue. Extended pedestrian trails and a new gated parking lot will be included.
Pueblo City Council will vote on rezoning and subdivision of the site once the current owner, Ferguson Enterprises Inc., moves to its new location.
"This is the latest and greatest phase that we've been designing the last three to four years," Meier said. "The county released 1A funding and it is currently out to bid."
"Knock on wood the bids will be within budget. We open bids Oct. 25 and should be under construction shortly after the first of the year," Meier said.
"It's pretty exciting and it's been a long time coming," he said.
More riverwalk news: Pueblo County commits more money but Riverwalk extension still $2 million short
Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/tracywumps. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo planners OK $30 million urban renewal apartment complex project
