Commissioners approve agreement for 32 ½ Road stormwater facility
Mesa County plans to build a regional stormwater detention facility near 32 ½ Road and the Grand Valley Canal after commissioners approved an agreement with Housing Resources of Western Colorado.
The facility will temporarily hold and manage stormwater runoff. It will help meet water quality requirements for the 32 1/2 Road Phase II Roadway Improvement Project and future development on the property.
Mesa County conveyed the vacant property to Housing Resources in 2008 with the agreement that the organization would develop housing and build a regional stormwater detention facility. Neither the housing development nor the stormwater facility moved forward.
The updated agreement replaces the 2008 terms and clarifies each organization’s responsibilities.
Mesa County plans to build the approximately 2.3-acre facility as part of the larger roadway project. Housing Resources will continue to own the property and will hold title to, operate and maintain the facility at its expense after construction.
If Housing Resources needs the facility sooner to keep its development on schedule, it may build the facility with county approval. Under that option, Mesa County could reimburse eligible, documented construction costs up to $200,000.
The facility’s design is complete, but construction has not begun. The agreement did not include a new appropriation. A separate construction contract covering the roadway improvements and stormwater facility will come before commissioners for consideration.
Housing Resources plans to develop Crawford Commons Apartments on the remaining property. The proposed first phase includes 60 affordable housing units, with space reserved for a possible second phase. Housing Resources expects to complete tax credit and debt financing in spring 2027 and begin construction afterward.
The agreement does not approve the housing development. Housing Resources must still complete its financing and obtain required land use and development approvals.
“I'm glad to see that it's moving forward, and it's nice that we could, at the county level, help where we could. Our strongest suit is building infrastructure so people can live their best lives,” said Bobbie Daniel, Mesa County Commissioner, at the Sept. 8 public hearing.
