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Colorado Economic Development Commission Approves Funding for Downtown Grand Junction’s First Workforce, Mixed Income Housing Project

OEDIT

 

The Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced today that “The Terminal”, a mixed-use redevelopment project in Grand Junction, has been approved for a Community Revitalization Grant (CRG). The Colorado Economic Development Commission (EDC) awarded $3.2 million to Grand Junction Downtown Development Authority (DDA) for the project, which will include 30 units of workforce housing and is the final grant recipient of the CRG program.

“Community revitalization projects, like The Terminal, are an exciting opportunity to make more homes available while preserving the Colorado we love. This project will revitalize historic downtown Grand Junction, provide great housing opportunities, and spark a wonderful mix of commercial and fun activities while preserving a historic Grand Junction landmark. This innovative project will help ensure that Grand Junction residents have more affordable choices to live near their jobs,” said Governor Jared Polis. 

Historically, The Terminal was a bus terminal, rest stop, and station for Greyhound Bus Lines. The Grand Junction DDA plans to restore the site, which was vacated by Greyhound Bus Lines in 2021, by developing a mixed-used project across two buildings connected by a skybridge. The project is expected to revitalize one of the primary access points to downtown Grand Junction.

The first building will be home to an energizing mix of commercial uses surrounding a central courtyard, including an innovative culinary operation and a first-of-its-kind downtown Space to Create artist co-op called Terminal S2C. A large, modern gallery and event space will be surrounded by 12 individual artist studios and a multiple-use community space.

The second building will include additional arts, culinary and retail offerings for downtown pedestrians as well as up to 90 urban apartments, of which 30 rental units will be maintained for the local workforce. The Terminal will be the first workforce, and the first mixed-income project in downtown Grand Junction.

“It is a special milestone to celebrate both The Terminal project, which will help revitalize an historic part of downtown Grand Junction, and the overall impact of the Community Revitalization Grant program. From Grand Junction to Naturita and Denver to Trinidad, this program has truly made a difference across the state,” said Sarah Harrison, CCI Program Director.

The Terminal is the final grant to be awarded through the CRG program, which has provided approximately $98 million to 59 projects in creative districts, historic districts, main streets and neighborhood commercial centers across Colorado. Of these projects, approximately:

  • 58% are located in rural communities
  • 85% include renewable energy or clean energy features
  • 49% are located in a Creative District
  • 36% are in an historic building, district or landmark
  • 84% are located in an Enterprise Zone or Enhanced Rural Enterprise Zone
  • 41% are located in an Opportunity Zone

 

Collectively, these projects are also creating over 598 housing units, including over 500 workforce, affordable and low-income housing units.

About the Community Revitalization Grant Program 

The Community Revitalization Grant (CRG) program revitalizes community spaces in creative districts, historic districts, main streets and neighborhood commercial centers across Colorado. Grants were awarded to projects that combine several uses, such as creative industry workforce housing, commercial spaces, performance space, community gathering spaces, child care centers, and retail partnerships. The projects also needed to focus on economic recovery and diversification by supporting creative sector entrepreneurs, artisans, and community non-profit organizations. Initially funded by the State of Colorado, the Colorado Economic Development Commission allocated an additional federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to continue the program. All CRG projects were evaluated by a panel review process overseen by CCI and the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA).