This week, I’m pleased to share that construction at the Whetstone Village housing development near Crested Butte continues to move forward. Thanks to an unusually warm winter and spring, the project is now ahead of schedule in several key areas, and we may possibly be able to begin the leasing process by the end of this year.
Over the past few months, crews have made strong progress on underground infrastructure, including installation and testing of water system components. While there were a few surrounding areas of the site that required targeted repair this winter, those issues have been addressed. Importantly, all associated costs have been covered by contractors and their insurers, not Gunnison County.
As we move into April, the community will begin to see more visible activity near the Slate River. This includes a planned horizontal directional bore beneath the river to complete a critical water line connection. This work is essential to serving the Whetstone development and has been carefully designed to minimize environmental impact. Crews will temporarily stage equipment near the riverbanks, and all disturbed areas will be restored, stabilized, and replanted as part of a structured reclamation process.
This effort is being closely coordinated with state and local partners, and we are taking every precaution to protect the river, surrounding wetlands, and monitoring infrastructure throughout the process.
Looking ahead, we anticipate completing all major water line connections by June, followed by system flushing and testing. At the same time, vertical construction and other site work continue to progress ahead of schedule, and we remain pleased with the overall quality and pace of the project.
If you are in the rental housing market in the coming year, I encourage you to stay informed, ask questions, and follow along as this project continues to take shape. You can sign up for updates at whetstonecb.com for project-specific information, or join the Gunnison County Housing Authority’s Housing Interest List to learn more about housing opportunities across the valley, including Whetstone. Your engagement helps us build a project that truly reflects and serves our community.
We’re excited about the progress ahead and grateful for the community’s continued interest and support.
Matthew Birnie
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