The Last Stand
Comments by vanguy
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On City resolving sign code issue
(anonymous)
July 14, 2008 at 2:08 p.m.
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Forget about the fact that realtors are involved for one minute.
The point of the issue is that there is a specific process for handling violations, and this process was not followed by the city staff, and that the summons were targeted at a specific group of citizens.
On Julia A. Chapman, MD: Grow cautiously
(anonymous)
July 6, 2008 at 10:27 a.m.
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Not everyone in Steamboat thinks the sky is falling. Some of us are pretty excited about the changes.
Downtown Steamboat, in terms of dining, retail, and nightlife, has been pretty stagnant for 4 or 5 years.
I can't wait to have a few new restaurants, a live music venue, and some new places to buy Christmas presents for my family.
All the arts and culture stuff isn't half bad either. I personally would never pay $5000 for some random painting, but I do enjoy looking at it on display all over town.
Besides, I thought I read that most of the retail space was already filled in all these downtown projects??
And for all of you “the bubble is bursting” folks, our market isn't as bad as you think.
2007 was an “out-of-the-ordinary” year for real estate. Take a look at 2006, 2005, or 2004, and you'll notice that current activity is on par with previous years other than 2007.
We should all be thankful the 2007 market madness has gone away.
On Median prices grow 25 percent
(anonymous)
July 6, 2008 at 10:13 a.m.
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2007 was not a normal real estate market, and we should all be thankful it has settled down.
Compare current market stats to 2004, 2005, and 2006….those were more typical real estate years for Steamboat.
On Joanne Palmer: Traffic is killing my pie obsession
(anonymous)
July 2, 2008 at 7:13 a.m.
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If you start downtown, and you are trying to get to Sweat Pea for your pie fix, why don't you try walking or riding a bike?
On Housing forum addresses future needs in the Yampa Valley
(anonymous)
June 2, 2008 at 6:39 p.m.
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Here is how our local workforce can attain housing in a free Steamboat real estate market.
Start in the most reasonably priced condo, as many before you have. (Try Walton Village, The Pines, Subalpine, Shadow Run, Meadowlark, to name a few)
Regardless of whether the property appreciates over time, you will build your own equity over a few years.
Paying rent simply builds equity for your landlord.
Also, the tax deduction on your mortgage interest is HUGE.
Then create a plan to save some additional money, stay disciplined to your plan, and try cutting out a few unnecessary expenses. (ie…new gear, bar tabs, starbucks).
After a few years, you'll be surprised how much cash you have put away. Avoid the temptation to spend it on a new car, snowmobile, bike, or international vacation.
Or you can try partnering together to purchase with a few friends as “equity roommates”.
Three bedrooms = Three occupants = Three incomes.
All of the sudden, your collective incomes qualify you for much more home. (Safety & Power in numbers)
Talk with some lenders (and possibly an attorney) about your plan. Co-purcase as Tenants in Common, create and sign a partnership agreement that details the terms of ownership / plans for sale / buying out other partners / equity disbursement, etc.
Again, many locals have done this in the past to get their start.
And don't forget about USDA loans, which can really help lower-income or first-time buyers in Routt County.
It's hard to make a home in Steamboat, but there are solutions if you seek them out. Nothing comes easy, and sometimes you have to start small, take your time, have a plan, and most importantly, stick to the plan.
On Erosion control
(anonymous)
May 28, 2008 at 3:18 p.m.
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If there were no financial risk and some form of tax advantage, only then might developers consider working for no profit.
I challenge elk2 to find a bank that would finance a project on the utopian terms as suggested.
I'm sure all the sub-contractors would also agree to work for free. Alpine Lumber will provide the developers wtih free materials. City market will give these builders free groceries, and the ski area will even give them a free ski pass. Comcast will throw in some free cable service, and Waste Management will even pick up their trash and recycling for no charge.
And Silver Spur, Steamboat II, and Heritage Park are NOT on city water / sewer. They have their own metro district that handles water and sewer, and they have mill levies on their property taxes to pay for these services.
On Our View: Park to test housing plan
(anonymous)
May 27, 2008 at 12:51 p.m.
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A few facts for clarification:
Alpenglow and Howelsen Place were approved developments before any affordable housing linkage / inclusionary zoning ordinance existed in Steamboat Springs.
Neither of these two projects have anything to do with Dream Island.
Howelsen Place includes several deed restricted condos, and Alpen Glow has is rumored to have some employee housing apartments on site.
On River Festival celebrates Yampa Valley’s defining resource
(anonymous)
May 24, 2008 at 3:14 p.m.
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Track the Yampa River at:
On Rob Douglas: A Dear Jon letter
(anonymous)
April 18, 2008 at 10:43 p.m.
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Developers ask for more than they need when entering the application process. St. Cloud will end up over 63 feet but under 126 feet. Anything to block the view of the Grand is a welcome addition in my book.
The venture will only be profitable when/if enough high-end buyers step up to the plate to purchase…which should be the real concern with all the projects being proposed. Otherwise, we will have another Highmark / Chadwick story on our hands. An don't forget that additional height creates additional risk for the developer.
Rob's jab at downtown is lame though. You never had views of Howelsen Hill walking along Lincoln Avenue.
Downtown is going to be awesome…when it's done. And with nothing to offer locals or tourists around the base area for a long, long time, how can you anyone complain about more restaurants, bars, and shops coming to downtown?
And when all of the downtown development is complete, there will still be fewer total condos in all of downtown Steamboat than in the St. Cloud project alone.
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On Volunteers needed to build playgrounds (anonymous)
July 18, 2008 at 10:32 p.m.
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5 days x 2 shifts per day x 2 playgrounds x 50 people per shift = 1000 people
Outsider…you must've been an outsider lookin in on math class when you were a kid. Thank god you aren't actually building any equipment for our military.
The snowmelt system is so our kids can play outside during more than half of the school year, when the playground would otherwise be buried in 400+ inches of snow. (and when tax dollars would be spent shoveling it…)
And most of funds for these playgrounds were from private donations, so stop crying the “tax dollars at work” b.s.
Thank you to those who help with the projects. Our kids and their parents appreciate your efforts.