The housing development being birthed out of the old Boyd School property in south Alamosa is down to three design options that will yield between 48 to 51 air-conditioned units and create a sense of community through its outdoor spaces and landscapes.
The three designs, after receiving community input during an open house Wednesday, will be presented to the San Luis Valley Housing Coalition board of directors for their decision on the final design, said Dawn Melgares, executive director of the San Luis Valley Housing Coalition.
The SLV Housing Coalition purchased the nostalgic school property and has it under redevelopment to address the housing needs in Alamosa. Melgares said she anticipates a fall 2024 groundbreaking.
Once a design is selected, Melgares will work to complete construction financing and begin a process for design approval and permitting through the city of Alamosa.
The existing community gardens at Boyd located at the front of the property along State Avenue will remain in place. The project also calls for an on-site early childhood learning center, and Melgares said she is eyeing relocating the San Luis Valley Housing Coalition offices to the new housing development as well.
The design marked Option 3 is one that has caught the fancy of community members who have attended three different open houses to give input on the development. The design features a larger amphitheater space, conceivably for public events, and deals with residential parking differently than the other two designs.
Melgares has her preference, Design Option 1, for the way it handles parking and because she hopes the development ends up with the higher number of 51 units. Bringing the number of units below 51 would likely mean the final design would include one four-bedroom unit, an option being explored. Otherwise the project includes one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom housing – all to be air conditioned as required by financing, Melgares said.
“I don’t think we can go wrong with any of the designs,” she said. Her goal is more attractive housing for Alamosa. All three designs accomplish that.