With construction complete, and landscaping in place, Southern Ute Tribal Housing hosted the Grand Opening of the Cedar Point Townhomes, Thursday, Sept. 6. Encouraging tribal members to tour the finished homes and experience Cedar Point’s newest neighborhood for themselves.
Members of the Southern Ute Tribal Council welcomed those in attendance. “Thank you for being here and looking at these homes,” Chairman Christine Sage said.
This is considered the first phase of the neighborhood development, and future phases will be based on the overall success and feedback of the current neighborhood design, in addition to the economic viability of the housing initiative.
Communications Specialist, Lindsay Box gave opening remarks on behalf of former Southern Ute Chairman Clement J. Frost, who was unable to attend, but whose involvement was key to the project’s development.
“Increasing affordable housing was an initiative of Chairman Frost’s campaign,” Box said. “He saw the need. This was his answer.”
The Cedar Point Housing Initiative held the ceremonial groundbreaking in October of 2016. Tribal Chairman Clement J. Frost spoke at the groundbreaking celebration, where he stated that the expansion of Cedar Point would assist many tribal families and residents. “Today is the first step in a monumental project,” he said. “This is a milestone for our community, and we’re very excited to provide new homes for tribal members.”
Chairman Sage sees this as an opportunity for tribal members who live off the reservation to have a place they can call home if they chose to move back. The rental units offer single family housing options, as well as shared units, with many of them featuring handicap accessibility. “Any ideas or suggestions from the membership would be welcome,” Sage added.
The new neighborhood has stunning views to the north, while many of the new houses offer second story vistas of the surrounding mountain ranges. “These houses are 100 percent open, ready for occupancy,” said Project Administrator, Mandy Brown.
“I think they are beautiful and built well, something like Three Springs,” Southern Ute tribal member Kieth Thompson said after touring the new homes. “I like them, I think this is good for the membership.”
Snow removal, lawn care and trash service are handled by property management. The new homes are HERS Certified, exceeding the tests for heat loss and efficiency. The neighborhood expansion boosts two separate parks, complete with playground equipment for the youngest residents.
“What makes this unique, is that it is its own little community,” Brown said. Southern Ute tribal members can contact tribal housing for personalized tours.