STEAMBOAT PILOT & TODAY
Each ski area is not the same, as homebuyers interested in resort towns soon discover. The decision to invest in property in a resort town requires consideration of properties in more than one resort.
Most people who are considering resort life are looking at a range of towns, said Cam Boyd, a broker and co-owner of Prudential Steamboat Realty.
“A lot of times when people are looking at buying property in Steamboat Springs they’re looking at other resorts as well,” Boyd said. These buyers usually consider places such as Winter Park, Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, and even towns in Utah and Wyoming, Boyd said.
A buyer’s final decision is based on several factors, one of which is simply what each resort town is like. One attraction of Steamboat, Boyd said, is that it feels like a town.
“We have a lot more of a town atmosphere, whereas some of the other resorts are just resorts,” Boyd said. “A lot of people really like having a sense of a community.”
Buyers for whom the resort home is a second home should consider how far away they want to drive or fly from their hometown to get to the resort. Steamboat’s distance from the Front Range is one barrier for people in cities such as Denver and Boulder who don’t want to spend an extra hour and a half in the car. Proximity is less of a problem for people living further away who have to fly into Steamboat, Boyd said.
The fact that Steamboat is more out of the way than other resorts can also be a plus, Boyd said. Because the town doesn’t have as much traffic through town from Front Range skiers who come up for the day, it stays quieter during the winter.
Another important consideration is price. Compared to Aspen, Jackson Hole, Telluride and Vail, homes in Steamboat are reasonable. But for people who haven’t visited other resort towns, Steamboat may seem expensive.
The quality of skiing also plays into the decision of which resort town to pick. A lot of people come to Steamboat Springs because they like the mountain here, Boyd said. Parents with children also tend to choose Steamboat because it is a family-friendly resort.
“Lots of people buying here love the ski area,” Boyd said. “The ski area is really conducive to families because it’s not real difficult, but it’s big enough so they never get bored.”
Two final attractions for Steamboat are the good weather and the breathing room.
Compared to weather in resorts in Summit County, which sit at elevations that are thousands of feet above Steamboat, the weather in Steamboat is mild. Winters are less harsh and the quality of snow in Steamboat is better. That also means that summers come more quickly, a plus for the golfers and bikers.
Also, because Steamboat sits in a broader valley, there’s more elbow room and a better chance for people to buy a 35-acre ranch or a 100-acre ranch, or even a home with a large backyard.
After comparing a handful resort towns and deciding which features of resort living are most important, buyers should know enough to make an informed decision that keeps them happy for years to come
- Comments Off Posted at: 4:57 am
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What Makes a Building Green?
A green building, also known as a sustainable building, is a structure that is designed, built, renovated, operated, or reused in an ecological and resource-efficient manner. Green buildings are designed to meet certain objectives such as protecting occupant health; improving employee productivity; using energy, water, and other resources more efficiently; and reducing the overall impact to the environment.
Siting
* Start by selecting a site well suited to take advantage of mass transit.
* Protect and retain existing landscaping and natural features. Select plants that have low water and pesticide needs, and generate minimum plant trimmings. Use compost and mulches. This will save water and time.
* Recycled content paving materials, furnishings, and mulches help close the recycling loop.
Energy Efficiency
Most buildings can reach energy efficiency levels far beyond California Title 24 standards, yet most only strive to meet the standard. It is reasonable to strive for 40 percent less energy than Title 24 standards. The following strategies contribute to this goal.
* Passive design strategies can dramatically affect building energy performance. These measures include building shape and orientation, passive solar design, and the use of natural lighting.
* Develop strategies to provide natural lighting. Studies have shown that it has a positive impact on productivity and well being.
* Install high-efficiency lighting systems with advanced lighting controls. Include motion sensors tied to dimmable lighting controls. Task lighting reduces general overhead light levels.
* Use a properly sized and energy-efficient heat/cooling system in conjunction with a thermally efficient building shell. Maximize light colors for roofing and wall finish materials; install high R-value wall and ceiling insulation; and use minimal glass on east and west exposures.
* Minimize the electric loads from lighting, equipment, and appliances.
* Consider alternative energy sources such as photovoltaics and fuel cells that are now available in new products and applications. Renewable energy sources provide a great symbol of emerging technologies for the future.
* Computer modeling is an extremely useful tool in optimizing design of electrical and mechanical systems and the building shell.
References
1.
D.M Roodman and N. Lenssen, A Building Revolution: How Ecology and Health Concerns are Transforming Construction, Worldwatch Paper 124, Worldwatch Institute, Washington, DC, March 1995, p. 5.
2.
Environmental Building News, Building Green on a Budget, Vol 8, No. 5, May 1999, www.ebuild.com/Archives/Features/ Low_Cost/Low_Cost.html#General
3.
William Fisk and Arthur Rosenfeld, Potential Nationwide Improvements in Productivity and Health From Better Indoor Environments, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, May 1998.
4.
Gottfried Technology, excerpt from Web site, www.buildingfutures.com/p3.htm, Feb. 9, 1999.
- 2 Comments Posted at: 7:53 am
I have only been around steamboat for a few years, but already i have noticed a big change in the small town many call home. When I first got here the thing I noticed most was the limited resources that builders have to pull from, the high cost of living in the town and the lack of quality and availability of many typical public services. But, given all of those shortcommings many things are taking shape in Steamboat Springs.
Here is a list of current Changes taking shape in Steamboat:
- The Olympian property
- Revitalized Old Town Hot Springs
- New Community Center
- New Library
- The Victoria
- Ski Time Square Redevelopment
- Highmark property
- One Steamboat Place property
- Bear Claw 3
- Burgess Creek Daylighting
- Base area Promenade
- Pedestrian walkways
- Improved traffic flow around bae area
- Alpenglow Villas
- Strawberrry Park Elementary
- Soda Creek Elementary rebuild
With all those changes every corner of Steamboat springs has some type of construction going on. Just last week I counted 28 townhomes or single family homes under construciton near or on the mountain. “For a town with only 10 stop lights” its immpresive the amount of development going on. When looking for the best value in significant ski areas steamboat remains at the bottom of the list (see landtitle Data below).
- Comments Off Posted at: 10:38 am
1076 Longview Circle Steamboat Springs CO
Luxury connected Residence
4 bedrooms
3-1/2 baths
Great Room
Oversized rec room
HVAC filtered air, humidification and Air conditioning
In Tran Heated floors on Lower level
In Tran Heated garage
LEED qualified home
iport system
pre-wired HDTV
Oversized gourmet kitchen
Natural wood floors American Ash 5″ all wood finished on-site to match décor.
European-style solid Cherry cabinets
Luxurious bathrooms
Master bathroom has, oversized Jacuzzi tub, Shower and separate water closet.
Granite and travertine in master bathroom
Views of the ski area Gondola
Security system, Hi-speed internet prewired
Kolbe Windows and Doors
Solid Alder interior doors and Trim.
Sound insulation throughout home.
Spectacular views of the ski mountain and gondola, quality construction and attention to detail using LEED energy efficient building methods, 4 bedrooms, 3-1/2 baths, Oversized master bedroom, Main level natural wood floors, Natural wood stained and lacquered doors and trim to co-ordinate w/ cabinetry, Antique custom wood front door, Granite solid surface counter tops, Flat panel TV installed, r40 roof insulation, textured interior walls, vaulted ceilings in great room, heated 2 car garage with shop area, Washer and Dryer, Multi-cycle Dishwasher, spacious closets, Ensuite bathrooms, Slate tile in master bedrooms, Wood floors in upstairs master
- Comments Off Posted at: 6:36 am
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST JONNY MOSELEY JOINS CADRE OF OLYMPIANS REPRESENTING STEAMBOAT
Thursday, December 27, 2007
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO, December 27, 2007-Olympic Gold Medalist, World Cup mogul champion, U.S. Freeskiing Open Champion, X-Games Silver medalist and innovator of the signature freestyle maneuvers such as the 360º mute grab and one-of-a-kind dinner roll, Jonny Moseley will join the cadre of Olympians that represent the Steamboat Ski Resort.
“Steamboat is known around the world as Ski Town, U.S.A.,” said Andy Wirth, executive vice president of sales & marketing and chief marketing officer for Intrawest. “To be able to have Jonny working along side freestyle legends Nelson Carmichael, Travis Mayer, Ann Battelle, Bobby Aldighieri, Kris “Fuzz” Feddersen as well as skiing icon Billy Kidd will truly elevate Steamboat to a totally new level.
In his new role with the resort, Moseley, a two-time Olympian, will ski with the public, represent the ski area at special events, make public appearances and participate in media events throughout the season. Moseley is currently in Ski Town, U.S.A.® and will return again in January as well as several additional times in 2008.
“Steamboat has been a favorite of mine since I first started coming here early in my career in 1993,” said Jonny Moseley. “I have been fortunate to ski and work with many of the legends of freestyle skiing from Steamboat and look forward to this unique opportunity to help promote Steamboat across the United States as well as around the world.”
No stranger to Steamboat, Moseley has trained with Steamboat coaches Copper Schell, Jeff Good and Park Smalley; competed in numerous events on the slopes of Mt. Werner such as Freestyle World Cups, made-for-television specials; as well as, honed his one-of-a-kind dinner roll trick during the 2002 US Olympic Freestyle Team training camp on the slopes of Voo Doo before the 2002 Winter Games.
With 17 World Cup career wins, Moseley captured the 1996 and 1995 World Cup Overall title. Then in 1998, he skied to the World Cup Mogul and US National Titles, before earning the first ever gold medal for the United States in freestyle moguls at the Olympics in Nagano Japan. A year later, he won the professional mogul tour, Sprint Bumps & Jumps and also placed second in the X-Games with his signature dinner roll. He is still the only skier to hold medals in both the Olympics and the X-Games. Moseley has also served as a television commentator covering skiing, appeared on Late Night with David Letterman; starred in Warren Miller ski movies; hosted Saturday Night Live; and emerged as a very popular MTV host and celebrity.
This year Moseley was inducted into U.S Ski Hall of Fame and narrated the most recent Warren Film “Playground”. Moseley, who is married to Malia and has one child, currently resides in Tiburon, California, where he recently finished his undergrad at the University of California, Berkeley and hosts a weekly radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio. He will split his time this winter between the Golden State and Ski Town, U.S.A.
Provided by Steamboat Ski Corporation
- Comments Off Posted at: 11:11 am
Steamboat Springs - The developers of Marabou Ranch luxury subdivision west of Steamboat Springs have responded to the pending sale of the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. by temporarily withdrawing about 40 home sites from the market and accelerating construction of community buildings.
“We feel that it’s fantastic news,” development team member Jeff Temple said of the pending ski area sale. All of the things coming together will “trigger some price adjustments for us, it’s just a question of how much.”
Marabou is a sprawling ranch of 1,800 acres bordering the Elk River. The developers, Elk River Partners, have Routt County’s approval to create 62 homesteads in a land preservation subdivision that keeps large parcels of ranchland intact. The community will continue to employ a ranch manager, harvest hay and raise grass-fed beef.
Thus far, DMB Real Estate of Scottsdale, Ariz., representing the developers, has sold 17 lots at prices ranging from about $1.8 million to $5 million.
DMB’s escrow coordinator in Steamboat Springs, Steve Drain, said aggregate sales at Marabou Ranch have reached $40.4 million and that figure does not include three of the 17 lots, which are committed to partners in the development. Another handful of lots are expected to close within the next week or two.
Temple said sales of homesteads were exceeding the development team’s expectations and the holidays represented an opportunity to call a timeout and reassess the market.
“We’re feeling very, very positive,” Temple said. “We’ve had some interaction with (representatives of Fortress and Intrawest) that some people may have not had, and it’s more positive than we had hoped.”
Temple said he and principals Mark Hall and Jeff Jepson sat down to envision the best scenario for Marabou going forward. They decided that spending the money necessary to complete the community buildings at Marabou Ranch on an accelerated timetable better represented the ideal. The intent is to have the improvements complete when prospective buyers arrive in the Yampa Valley during the summer months, which are most critical to land sales.
“We’re in a full-court press to get all of the vertical (building construction) complete by June,” he said.
The general contractor at Marabou is TCD of Steamboat.
Drain said road construction as well as construction on the equestrian barn, lodge compound and other buildings is proceeding throughout the winter. Temple said the theater and spa would be complete in June. Work on mountain biking trails will resume April 1. Work on trout habitat improvements to the Elk River is proceeding during the difficult winter months.
Temple said the sale of a homestead for $5 million to a family trust based in the Seattle area last fall had symbolic - as well as monetary - significance for the developers.
“That’s breaking new ground for Steamboat,” he said.
Records kept by Routt County reflect sales of $2.4 million, $2.75 million, $3.55 million and $3.95 million, for example.
Drain said Marabou’s sales team continues to host tours of the ranch this month, even as the homesteads officially remain off the market. DMB plans to reintroduce the lots in February when the ranch will host an extended winter festival, including parties and concerts, for prospective buyers.
- Comments Off Posted at: 7:32 am
Stagecoach latest rural area to see boom in developmentBy Associated Press
December 19, 2006
STAGECOACH - Lisa Lesyshen and her family moved to Stagecoach six years ago because of the privacy and the incredible views of the mountains and reservoir.
But exponential growth in the Stagecoach area quickly is changing the landscape for Lesyshen and others and is making Stagecoach one of the hubs of residential development in Routt County. The rapid changes also are rekindling interest in transforming Stagecoach into an independent, incorporated municipality.
In 1999, the Routt County Board of Commissioners, Routt County Regional Planning Commission and Stagecoach Planning Steering Committee drafted the Stagecoach Community Plan, a document intended to serve as a directive for growth in the area. The 20-year plan says Stagecoach is expected to grow into a balanced community with diverse housing, open space and a small retail and commercial space to serve the community.
Seven years after the adoption of the plan, Stagecoach’s future is unclear. While several residents have begun discussions about incorporating Stagecoach, county officials question whether the community is ready for such a step.
But one thing is certain - Stagecoach is booming, and that’s not likely to change in the near future.
In 1971, there were 133 residential units in Stagecoach, a rural area about 20 minutes south of Steamboat Springs and home to Stagecoach State Park. That number has grown to 421 this year. Most of the growth occurred from 2001 to 2005, when 95 single-family homes were built in Stagecoach - the most growth the area had seen in 30 years. The trend is expected to continue.
This year, 54 homes have been erected in the rural area south of Steamboat Springs. Routt County planning officials estimate there could be as many as 640 homes in the Stagecoach area by 2010 if growth continues as expected.
Routt County Planner Mary Alice Page-Allen said current development - including the Red Hawk and The Neighborhoods at Young’s Peak subdivisions and plans for the Stagecoach Marketplace - is forcing officials to ask tough questions about how growth is affecting the availability of basic services the county can provide for current and future residents.
“I think we’re beginning to ask ourselves what is going to be the threshold of development for the county to consider it enough? What’s going to be the impetus for incorporation?” she said. “Is it going to be 500 homes? We don’t have the answers; these answers are going to have to come from the community.”
Developer Brian Stahl said his The Neighborhoods at Young’s Peak subdivision will be fundamental to Stagecoach’s future.
“My goal is to create a vibrant, friendly, dynamic residential community. The goal is to create an inclusive community rather than an exclusive community,” he said.
Stahl said he will continue to evolve as Stagecoach evolves and that he is committed to making the community viable.
The Stagecoach area originally was platted in the 1960s and ’70s to be Colorado’s sixth-largest ski area. The area was designed by Woodmoor Corp. to sustain more than 2,000 single- and multifamily housing units to create a healthy, bustling community similar to what Steamboat Springs is today.
But that vision never became reality, and Woodmoor filed for bankruptcy in the late ’70s, leaving the area with an underdeveloped infrastructure and a lack of direction.
Some lots were sold before Woodmoor went bankrupt, but many were not. As a result, the Morrison Creek Metropolitan Water and Sanitation District also went bankrupt because of a lack of growth, which hampered tax revenues.
Woodmoor’s dream of a major ski area eventually was replaced with a focus on residential growth and only moderate commercial development. That residential growth has taken off in the past few years, particularly as families have been forced to look beyond the city limits of Steamboat Springs to find affordable housing.
But with growth come growing pains.
Routt County Commissioner Nancy Stahoviak said the most pressing concern Stagecoach residents have raised is the condition of the county roads that lead to the community.
“With the development that is going on, we’re seeing more and more traffic all the time out on county roads 14, 16 and 212,” Stahoviak said. “That is one of the big issues that keep coming back to us.”
Paving or improving county roads 14 and 16 could cost millions of dollars. It’s not a bill the county can pay.
“The county can only provide the level of service it has funds for,” Stahoviak said. “If the residents of Stagecoach want something different to happen, they themselves have to figure that out.”
The county commissioners will meet Jan. 15 to hear from a road review committee that is assessing and prioritizing which county roads are most in need of improvements. Public comments are welcome at the meeting.
Road maintenance is not the only demand created by Stagecoach’s growth.
Steve Colby, general manager of the Morrison Creek Metropolitan Water and Sanitation District, said growth soon may force the district to make some big decisions to continue providing district residents with water and sewer services.
“Right now, we’re trying to stay ahead of the curve on our water supply and routine maintenance, but you can only suck so much water out of a 6-inch hole in the ground,” he said.
Copyright 2006, Rocky Mountain News. All Rights Reserved.
- Comments Off Posted at: 7:34 am
Geode Construction uses building science to create a home that is more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Building science refers to the way a home’s many components work together as a system. Each Geode Construction Home is designed with these principles in mind. For example, we use energy-efficient products like cellulose insulation, which reduces air, sound, and pest infiltration while increasing fire safety; a Tech Shield radiant barrier at roof decking; R-6 insulated ducts and Energy-efficient Trane 14 S.E.E.R A/C with gas furnace (gas furnace in select neighborhoods only). These products work in conjunction with the airtight KeyTM Sealing System to provide a more comfortable, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly home.
Geode Homes are recognized as EPA ENERGY STAR® Homes. Because the energy costs will be lower than a conventional house, new homebuyers may be able to take advantage of Energy Efficiency Mortgages, which include favorable terms such as higher qualifying ratios, cash back at closing, and reduced interest rates.
Geode Construction has made it a goal to save you money by reducing monthly utility bills. We are the one of the few builders to work toward Leed certification® here in Steamboat Springs. Each certified home is rated on energy efficiency, new-home design, construction practices, building materials, water efficiency, and community planning.
The result is a Geode constructed home with not only increased energy efficiency and environmental sensitivity
and comfort, but value.
- 1 Comment Posted at: 2:18 am
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