Infrastructure - Roads, Water, Sewer, Parks, Buses and Utilities at the Salt Flats

Infrastructure

One of the main reasons the Salt Flats property sat vacant for so many years was the extraordinary cost of infrastructure. For decades, the site lacked the water, sewer, and roadway connections needed to make housing feasible. To prepare more than 21 acres for development required not just pipes and pavement, but also coordinated planning with City Engineering to ensure that future homes would have reliable access to water, sewer, storm drainage, streets, and sidewalks.

For the development community, in general, infrastructure costs were identified as a major barrier to the development of affordable and workforce housing. Without upfront investment, developers could not make the numbers work — especially for affordable housing, where rents and sale prices must remain capped for 30, 40 or more years. Learn more about Affordability on the Salt Flats. As a result, the site remained vacant, despite being one of the remaining large parcels of undeveloped land in the downtown area.

To overcome this challenge, the City pursued outside funding. In November 2024, the City was awarded $2 million through the “More Housing Now” grant program, part of the Energy and Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF). This was paired with an $800,000 local match allowing the City to cover the backbone infrastructure costs that had long prevented development. Additionally, negotiated in the purchase of the property, the seller contributed an additional $1 million towards the infrastructure.

Phase 1 Infrastructure began in August 2025 and focuses on the essentials: improving 28 Road and Grand Avenue connections, adding a road at 28-1/4 Rd, installing new water and sewer lines, electricity lines, and adding storm drainage. Residents may notice some traffic delays along 28 Road while this work is underway. Phase 1 is expected to be completed by late 2025, laying the groundwork for the initial housing construction to begin.

Phase 2 Infrastructure is now in the planning stage. This phase will extend into the site, building the internal streets, sidewalks, and bike lanes needed to serve new homes and create a well-connected neighborhood. These improvements will be tailored as the unit mix and development plans are finalized with project partners.

By tackling infrastructure first, the City has turned a long-standing barrier into a catalyst for housing. With backbone systems in place, private developers can step in to deliver a mix of affordable, attainable, and market-rate homes — fulfilling a key Housing Strategy and transforming the Salt Flats into a thriving new community.

The Opportunity for a Neighborhood Park

As shown in the map, there are no existing parks located immediately within the Salt Flats area. While several parks such as Lincoln Park, Rocket Park, and Columbine Park sit just over a mile away, the lack of a nearby green space highlights the opportunity for a new community park at Salt Flats.

A neighborhood park here would not only serve the residents of the Salt Flats development but also benefit the surrounding neighborhoods, creating a much-needed gathering place for recreation, play, and community connection.

An early concept design may include open lawns, play areas, picnic shelters, walking paths, and other family-friendly amenities. However, before any final decisions are made, the City Parks and Recreation Department and Brikwell, the master developer, will seek input from the community to ensure the park reflects local priorities and needs.

Expanding Transit Access at Salt Flats

The master developer is currently working with Grand Valley Transit (GVT) on the potential to create two new bus stops within the Salt Flats site.

These transit connections would provide significant benefits for the new neighborhood. For the senior and veteran housing planned on the north end of the site, direct bus access would make it easier for residents to reach healthcare, shopping, and community services without relying on a car. For the broader community living throughout the site, the bus stops would connect households to jobs, schools, and amenities across Grand Junction.

By integrating public transit into the neighborhood design, Salt Flats will support mobility, independence, and accessibility for all residents while also reducing traffic impacts and strengthening links to the surrounding city.