Brandon Leuallen, The Business Times

A regional stormwater detention facility is moving forward in Clifton on property where Housing Resources of Western Colorado plans to develop the proposed Crawford Commons affordable-housing project, according to representatives from Mesa County and Housing Resources.

Mesa County commissioners approved an updated agreement with Housing Resources for the construction, ownership and maintenance of the stormwater facility on property near 32 1/2 Road and Friendship Drive.

Mesa County Senior Engineer Daniel Larkin said the county donated the property to Housing Resources in 2008 with the intention that housing would eventually be developed there and a regional stormwater detention pond would be constructed. Neither project has been built.

Larkin said the new agreement replaces the 2008 agreement and changes how responsibilities for the detention facility will be divided. Under the agreement, Mesa County will construct the pond as part of its 32 1/2 Road Phase 2 roadway-improvement project, while Housing Resources will continue to own the property and maintain the pond, with some exceptions involving county infrastructure.

Housing Resources Executive Director Emilee Powell said the organization is moving forward with plans for Crawford Commons after receiving a 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit award. She credited support from Mesa County and the planned infrastructure improvements with helping the project secure the tax-credit award.

“I have no doubt that the support of the county, not only on that application, but being able to show the support with 32-and-a-half Road, the detention pond, the donation and access to the Crawford Commons project was a big part of that approval,” Powell said.

Powell said Housing Resources hopes to close on the project’s tax-credit financing and debt in spring 2027 and begin construction as soon as possible afterward.

“So we’re moving full steam ahead,” Powell said.

According to Powell, the current plan calls for 60 housing units in the first phase, with space on the property reserved for a potential second phase.

Powell said the revised stormwater agreement also better divides responsibilities between the county and Housing Resources.

“The nice change in this donation-agreement amendment is to switch the roles so that the county builds the detention pond and we maintain it,” Powell said. “Which is flip-flop to what was originally proposed, but fits both of our capacities much better, I think, than the original plan.”

Commissioners approved the stormwater agreement 2-0.