Durango City Council gave final approval on March 15, 2011, to the first phase of Twin Buttes, a development that, as planned, would encompass up to 595 houses.
Situated below two natural buttes on Durango’s west side, the project was to be part of a new generation of developments mixing single-family homes and commercial development alongside wide swaths of preserved open space and even community gardens.
Yet nearly four years later, the developers have not applied for a single building permit.
The developers aren’t talking, so observers are left guessing about Twin Buttes’ immediate future. Some people who were associated with the project are no longer working for it.
Marc Snider, communications manager for Twin Buttes, declined an interview request.
“At this time, I have no information that I can share concerning the project,” he said in an email message.
Twin Buttes had its opponents all along. A vocal contingent including former Mayor Renee Parsons protested the planned construction of hundreds of houses in a picturesque location near open space used by deer and other wildlife.
Now the development appears to be stuck in the worst of both worlds: It’s not set aside for its natural beauty, yet neither is Twin Buttes helping to ease Durango’s acute lack of housing.
Those who would stand to profit from the project – builders, subcontractors and real-estate agents, among others – are left waiting.
“It’s disconcerting to the city to have a major project that we supported to be in this limbo state,” said Greg Hoch, the city’s director of planning and community development.
Hoch said Twin Buttes is working to hire a project manager.
Eric Flora, the driving force to develop Twin Buttes, has turned his attention to another project. Flora acquired the undeveloped portion of Edgemont Highlands in May, and plans call for building 87 single-family homes at the Timbers at Edgemont Highlands.
Flora also declined to comment when reached for this story.
There are some signs of activity in Twin Buttes. A bridge was completed over Lightner Creek and an unpaved road was built into the development. Towering piles of boulders have been brought in. It’s possible significant building could occur this summer.
Yet at Three Springs, a similar development backed by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the hammers rarely sit idle. Last week, frames were being lowered by crane and roofing contractors were pounding away.
Nicol Killian, the city of Durango’s planning manager, said Twin Buttes has made some progress putting in roadways and water, sewer and storm water infrastructure. The development required substantial work before home construction could begin.
“It’s a big project to put that much infrastructure in before you go vertical,” she said.
Twin Buttes’ vision has its admirers. The development agreement calls for a maximum of 595 residences, 115,000 square feet of commercial space and up to 25,000 square feet of community buildings along with 46 acres set aside for agricultural use. Overall, more than 180 acres was pledged as open space.
“They have a really great master plan,” said Joe Lewandowski, a member of the city Planning Commission. “The developers, I think they came on at a tough time. They’re sitting on a lot of property out there.”
No one outside the development group seems to have a good idea when Twin Buttes construction will begin in earnest, or if development will ramp up this summer.
“We don’t know,” said Hoch.