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SMR Development Proposal Advanced for 1721 W. Idaho Housing Infill

February 9, 2021

News & Notes

The CCDC Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to advance SMR Development, deChase Miksis and Edlen & Co.’s proposal to the Agency’s 1721 W. Idaho Street Housing Infill Development RFQ-P at the regular February Board Meeting.

The proposed project, a joint venture between Shellan Rodriguez of SMR Development, Dean Papé of deChase Miksis Development, and Mark Edlen of Edlen & Company, will utilize the CCDC-owned site at 1721 (formerly 1715) W. Idaho St as well as adjacent parcels to the east and west. The 2- and 3-story building will introduce 45 new residences near downtown, consisting of studios, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units.

“I think SMR really hit it out of the park with design, density and neighborhood appropriateness,” said CCDC Chair Dana Zuckerman.

The Housing Infill RFQ-P’s goal is to develop new mixed income housing for an economically-diverse set of residents. The Agency received three completed proposals in December 2020. The development teams presented to the CCDC Commissioners during the regular January Board Meeting, and Commissioners discussed the proposals during a special Board Meeting on January 28, 2021. All three proposals were evaluated by CCDC Commissioners utilizing six evaluation criteria:

  1. Neighborhood Design and Context
  2. Investment that Enhance the Tax Base
  3. Catalyst Potential
  4. Development Schedule
  5. Sustainability
  6. Local Partnerships & Workforce

“It’s important to note that when we talk about integration with the neighborhood, that in this particular area the neighborhood surrounding it is very different on one side than it is on the other side, and so this is a transitional type of development,” Commissioner Jordan said referring to the SMR proposal. “It’s not quite as dense as it might be on the south side and less impactful on the north side.”

Now that the Board has selected to advance SMR’s proposal, the Agency will begin work on an Agreement to Negotiate Exclusively with the development team. If the Agency is unable to finalize an agreement with SMR, CCDC can return to the determined second and third ranked proposals, McCarty Flats LLC, and Conner Construction, LLC.

The Board of Commissioners will consider approval of an Agreement to Negotiate Exclusively at a future board meeting.