The Craig City Council, in response to a recommendation from the Craig Housing Authority, has initiated discussions on potential alternative sites for a workforce housing development originally planned for the Woodbury area.

This decision comes after deliberations at a Housing Authority meeting held last month, and at an April 9 City Council meeting — where council members and city staffers debated the necessity of broadening the search for suitable locations, and explored the implications of potential alternative sites.

Council member Luke Tucker, advocating for a reevaluation of the Woodbury Park area as a potential site, emphasized that recently acquired land on the southeastern end of Woodbury Park was intended for recreational purposes. Expressing concern over diverting this land from its intended use, Tucker questioned the city’s role in the development business and urged a reconsideration of the project’s location.

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In response, Council member Randy Looper shared his belief that the city wasn’t as much in the development business as in the business of being “encouraging” to new development.

He also underscored the urgent need for additional housing, citing conversations with key community stakeholders who highlighted the detrimental impact of housing shortages on essential services such as healthcare and education. Looper emphasized the importance of addressing the housing crisis to retain and attract workforce talent vital for the city’s growth and sustainability.

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“There’s no place to live,” Looper said. “Or if there is, do you really want to live in one of those places versus something that’s halfway decent?”

Council member Jesse Jackson observed that the development of newer, nicer apartments might “spur other apartment buildings to fix their places up” in an attempt to stay competitive.

Tucker also raised concerns regarding the demographic composition of potential occupants in the new housing units, cautioning against disproportionately accommodating individuals from neighboring areas like Steamboat Springs.

“How many houses are they going to keep for Craig workers? I’m worried that we’re going to fill it up with 90% Steamboat workers, 10% Craig. So we’re solving Steamboat’s problem.”

Jackson noted in response that he himself works in Steamboat, one of the approximately 3,000 Moffat County residents who commute to Steamboat for work on a daily basis.

Craig mayor Chris Nichols emphasized that regardless of the workplace of the occupants, having new residents based in Craig would still provide an economic boost to the city.

“I don’t care if these people work in Steamboat, they’re still going to buy groceries, they’re still going to buy gas, they’re still going to go to local restaurants,” Nichols said, adding that “this community has to grow. Either that, or we die.”

Amid discussions about the viability of alternative sites — including considerations of storm-drain infrastructure and community feedback — council members expressed divergent views on the urgency of relocating the proposed development. While some, like Tucker, advocated for a comprehensive review of additional available sites to ensure the optimal choice for the community, others, such as Looper, stressed the importance of timely action to mitigate the housing crisis.

“Most of the people I’ve talked to have been positive about the original site, other than the people in Woodbury,” Looper said, noting that if a switch to a new site occasions a signifiant delay in construction, the city “won’t have a project developed until 2029 and then it’s too late.”

Council member Derek Duran also acknowledged the housing need and shared that he’s been a supporter of new housing while on the council. He said that while he is open to considering other locations, time is of the essence.

“The past council and this council, we have a vision,” Duran said. “We know what’s coming down the pipeline, and we’re trying to do what we can to fix this and find a solution.”

Despite varying opinions on the ideal location, Economic Development Manager Shannon Scott provided updates on the city’s progress in researching alternative sites, including reaching out to property owners and assessing potential locations identified in previous housing needs assessments.

Addressing concerns raised by residents during public comment, Nichols reiterated the council’s commitment to evaluating all viable options in the most feasible and logical manner. He highlighted the council’s responsibility to foster sustainable growth and replace lost jobs, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the community’s collective welfare over individual preferences.

Nichols closed the meeting with a caution, regarding a lingering issue with the development’s construction that he said “sticks in his craw.” He prefaced his remarks by noting that he’s spent a great deal of time listening to the concerns of both citizens and council members. He said that while many of the concerns are valid, he recalled a conversation with one protester of the Woodbury site who said residents don’t want “those people” in the neighborhood.

“I moved here in 1984, and I was one of ‘those’ people,” Nichols said, addressing the audience members. “I lived in the apartments behind the mall for two years. I was one of ‘those’ people, and my family were ‘those’ people. Our city manager has been one of ‘those’ people for five years.”

Nichols vowed that when it comes time to vote on the housing development’s eventual location, he won’t be swayed by concerns about the quality of people who may inhabit the units.

“I personally will evaluate these interests on the best long-range interests for the community itself,” he said before eschewing the traditional “meeting adjourned” in favor of a clearly frustrated “we’re done.”

“Not all apartments are bad, and that’s what people are saying by discouraging this,” Jackson said in support of the original site/

He added that “It’s an apartment building, I want to keep it nice. I’m afraid of our park going to crap because we have no money in ten years. So I would like to do something to try to encourage.”