Transportation is among the top priorities listed in La Plata County’s proposed 2016 community development action plan (CDAP), which has not been updated since 2012.
Community development action plans, typically adopted every two years, outline projects that receive state and federal funding, the level of necessity, cost and timeline. The Region 9 Economic Development District oversees the plans for La Plata, Archuleta, Dolores, Montezuma and San Juan counties.
La Plata County’s list includes almost 80 items that apply to Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio and/or the unincorporated county.
Expansion of the Durango-La Plata County Airport terminal, renovations and realignments to county roadways, high-speed Internet, La Plata County Courthouse renovations, revitalization projects for Ignacio and Bayfield, and updates to the county and municipal land-use plans were ranked highest in importance.
Several housing initiatives, like supportive housing for veterans and an analysis of Durango’s housing issues, were lower priorities, but La Plata County commissioners suggested workforce housing should rank high alongside transportation initiatives and road and bridge infrastructure.
“Making (affordable housing project) Lumien phase II a reality is a good priority,” Commissioner Julie Westendorff said. An additional 40 units are planned for Lumien Apartments, an apartment complex off 32nd Street that opened its first 50 units last fall.
Projects were ranked “high,” “medium” and “low” by stakeholders throughout Region 9, but commissioners can change the designation depending how they prioritize an item.
“The ranking doesn’t really matter; it’s just a way to say that the county thinks, for example, downtown development projects are less important than the airport expansion,” Region 9 Deputy Director Laura Lewis Marchino said. “Projects are taken off the list when completed, or if political will changes the need for it.”
Expansion of health services, including a hospice facility at Mercy Regional Medical Center, and trail and park development also made La Plata County’s list. A complete list of CDAP projects can be found on the county website.
A May deadline is set to decide whether to adopt the plan, but the county commission may vote as early as March.
jpace@durangoherald.com
