Fields attracts local, young professionals
Lottery drawing successful
By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer
Following more than a year of bumpy roads, the Fields at Warm Springs
"affordable" units have been committed to local residents.
A lottery was held on Tuesday of last week during the evening at
Ketchum City Hall to determine which qualified applicants would have the opportunity to
purchase the condominiums at the below-market price of $135,000.
There were 17 qualified applicants as determined by the Blaine County
Housing Authoritys predetermined housing guidelines. There are 14 affordable units.
According to Blaine County housing director Steve Amsbaugh, the
remaining three applicants will serve as backups, in case one of the lottery winners backs
out.
The 14 finalists and three alternate buyers include local school
teachers, medical professionals and public safety workers living and working in Blaine
County, according to Garth Schlemlein of Seattle-based Sawtooth Development. Several were
born and raised in Blaine County. Most have lived or worked here for over five years.
"Its so good to see the smiles on these peoples
faces," Ketchum Mayor Guy Coles said. "I almost lost my office over this, but
those happy peoplethat makes it all worth it."
Coles referred to the notorious, but unsuccessful, Ketchum City Council
recall effort late last summer and fall.
"This is a particularly historic night here in Ketchum,"
Blaine County Housing Authority member Steve Pruitt said last Tuesday night. "This
has been a special project so far and we hope it will become more a part of the tradition
of this area so we can all work and live in the same community."
The Fields homes are part of a public-private partnership to provide
housing to local residents. Sawtooth Development, a private development company, worked in
cooperation with the Blaine County Housing Authority and the city of Ketchum to offer the
homes at special pricing to full-time residents.
"We saw an opportunity to meet the needs of local residents,"
Schlemlein said. "These are beautiful two-bedroom condominiums filled with features
such as in-floor radiant heat, wood cabinets and fireplaces. On the open market, they
would sell for up to $235,000. Many people working in Ketchum simply cant afford to
purchase a home here. This opportunity has made 14 homes available to families and
individuals."
The Fields at Warm Springs is a community of 41 condominium homes with
views of Bald Mountain. It is located across Warm Springs Road from the Warm Springs Golf
Course. Amenities at The Fields include classic Sun Valley architecture, an outdoor spa, a
community building and work-out facilities, Schlemlein said.
The grounds will be landscaped in a style to fit in with the local
surroundings, he added. Prices for the three-bedroom homes range from $279,000 to
$323,000.
"Construction is well underway and we expect to have our model
home available by early December," said ReMax of Sun Valleys Heidi Baldwin, the
sales agent for the property. "Ten of the market-rate homes are already sold. The
remaining 17 will go quickly."
Schlemlein added, "We are looking forward to completing the
community this winter. We are also excited about having these great members of the
community as our new neighbors."