One of the most significant changes to the proposed programming for Ever Vail is the reduction of the total square footage of commercial retail uses within the project.
“We heard strongly from the community, the Town Council and the Town staff that there was concern that the amount of retail being proposed would compete too heavily with the other core retail areas,” said VRDC spokeswoman Kristin Kenney Williams. “The Town was also concerned about the viability of the amount of retail area being proposed. In agreeing to reduce the amount of commercial space, we are convinced there is still enough retail floor area to serve Ever Vail with success and vibrancy, but those staying or living within Ever Vail will need to seek out other shopping and dining opportunities throughout Vail Village and Lionshead.”
The proposed Ever Vail mixed-use project will redevelop a nearly 12-acre site that is currently home to an aging maintenance facility, office buildings and a former gas station, providing the much-needed in-fill development to create a connection between Lionshead Village and Cascade Village. It will bring together mountain operations, affordable and free-market housing, and community benefits.
Ever Vail is now envisioned with three restaurants (down from six), from high-end dining to casual-family dining, and a nightclub/live music venue. The retail proposed for Ever Vail is primarily located along the pedestrian corridor leading to the proposed new gondola with first-floor frontage. The plans still include a specialty grocer of approximately 13,000 square feet, and about 15,564 square feet of retail uses – down from about 36,000 square feet.
From a residential standpoint, Ever Vail proposes 422 residential dwelling units that may be a mix of affordable year-round housing, whole-ownership condominiums, and shared-ownership homes. On-site employee housing will also be a key component of Ever Vail with about 41 of the total residential units proposed to be deed-restricted employee housing units. As currently proposed, there are 32 for-sale employee housing units and nine rental employee housing units. About 67 percent of the Town of Vail’s employee housing requirement will be met within Ever Vail, even though regulations require only 50 percent to be on site.
According to Iskenderian, the project changes continue to support a hugely-beneficial financial impact to the Town of Vail, estimating that Ever Vail will generate one-time revenue of more than $32 million for the Town, as well as an estimated $7 million at build-out in ongoing annual revenue that includes more than $4 million from tax increment financing.
Ever Vail proposes to include metro districts within the project that will maintain on-site landscaping, hardscape, snowmelt, snow removal, as well as publicly-accessed right-of-ways and easements, reducing or eliminating additional operating or service expenses to the Town.
Read more about significant aspects of the project that have been improved or maintained in the updated design.
