Hailed by the New York Times as one of the 52 top places to go in 2023, Grand Junction is on the map. Firmly rooted with quaint neighborhoods, close-knit communities and plenty of adventures from which to choose, our city is starting to experience a shift – a boom.

We see this as we drive down the streets. We encounter more traffic and wait times. We notice new buildings and construction. But what is it? The answer for the most part: multi-family housing units.

For years, the demand for more housing and multi-family units has outstripped supply. That soon could change. There are more than 1,175 multi-family housing units out of the ground with more still to come.

These developments include the Junction at Second Street and Rood Avenue with 256 units, a courtyard, clubhouse and pool. The Lofts on Grand at 1020 Grand Ave. offers 78 units. The Slate on 25 near F 1/4 and 25 roads offers 168 units, clubhouse, fitness center and pool. The Farm & Market Street located at 656 Market St. includes 72 units. Struthers Apartments at 805 Struthers Ave. has 48 units. The Farm/Nexus at 687 24 1/2 Road features 122 units. Pomona Park Townhomes at 25 1/2 Road and Patterson Avenue has 40 townhomes. Copper Village Apartments located off 24 1/2 Road is fully occupied with 144 units and 60 additional units scheduled. And 535 W. Aspen Apartments located off U.S. Highway 50 in Fruita has 88 units.

Many of these multi-family units are 100 percent pre-leased even before completion. Fourteen more developments with a total of 1,000 units have been proposed and are through planning.

With changing demographics and economic growth — coupled with low housing inventory, interest rate uncertainty and increasing home prices — it’s no wonder individuals and families seek alternative living arrangements.

They want housing that looks different from single-family homes with such amenities as bike storage, fitness centers, garden spaces, hot tubs, on-site maintenance, pools and top-of-the line appliances. These urban living spaces are becoming the norm.

However, an influx of multi-family units presents unique challenges and opportunities to the community and property managers tasked with maintaining the delicate balance between growth and preservation. One of the primary challenges is ensuring new developments align with evolving needs.

As Grand Junction continues to grow, property managers play a vital role in preserving affordability and socioeconomic diversity within the community. Implementing affordable housing initiatives, rent stabilization programs and workforce housing opportunities ensure residents of varying income levels have access to quality housing options.

What does the future hold for multi-family living in Grand Junction? It’s difficult to predict how it will all unfold. What we do know is there’s a need right now for housing in whatever form it comes in.