STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
The spacious balcony patio of Bluebird Village looking out onto Bald Mountain ski area sports several features that resemble hot tubs.
And those taking a tour of the new apartments under construction in the heart of Ketchum immediately envisioned a hot tub party to beat all hot tub parties on the rooftop deck.
But, no, said Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw. They’re destined to become community garden plots.
Between 200 and 250 people recently toured the low-income community housing building being built across from Atkinsons’ Market on the site of the former Ketchum City Hall and Police and Fire Department.
The project got thumbs-up reviews from those who live in million-dollar homes and those considering making Bluebird Village their home.
The building, which is nearly full with more applications under review, offers 51 units. There are three 3-bedroom apartments, 14 two-bedroom apartments, 24 one-bedroom apartments and three studio apartments. The square footage of the units ranges from 1,065 square feet for the three-bedroom units to 465 square feet for the studio apartments.
Tourgoers found a fitness studio in the works, as well as a handful of EV charging units in the parking garage, which can hold 46 vehicles. The underground garage offers storage closets for skis and bikes. And, yes, there’s an elevator, and some pretty nice views of Ketchum from the upper floors.
Rent costs $750 to $1,073 a month for the studio apartments; $808 to $1,154 for the one-bedroom units; $958-$1,373 for the two-bedroom units and $1,338 for the three-bedroom units. To qualify, applicants must make under 70 percent of the area median income.
In a sad twist, some people hoping to get in saw their hopes vanished when they worked overtime to help their businesses stay afloat, putting them over the maximum they could earn.
The city owns the land. GMD Development and the Ketchum Community Development Corporation own the building, which was funded by the City of Ketchum, KURA, tax credits, investors and private lenders.
Those who will be moving in in the coming weeks include employees of Sun Valley Community School, Merlin’s Magic Lantern Cinema, St. Luke’s Wood River Hospital, the Sun Valley Animal Center, Atkinsons’ Market and Albertsons, several restaurants, Sun Valley Company and a nursing care facility. There is a figure skating teacher, a barista and a professional babysitter among the tenants.
“Stable, affordable and safe housing is paramount to overcoming domestic violence and succeeding after coercive control,” said one woman who has two jobs—one at a local pharmacy and another at a Ketchum hotel. “The impact affordable housing has on saving and changing lives is truly amazing.”
Want to know more? Go to https://bluebirdketchum.com/.