Location & Site
Location and Site
The Salt Flats project is located at 450 28 Road in Grand Junction, at the northeast corner of Grand Avenue and 28 Road. The property covers 21.78 acres and was once part of a larger tract of land. It is an infill opportunity within the City’s priority growth area.
The site was chosen because of its excellent location and connections. It sits near major employment corridors and is close to key community resources, including the Veteran’s Administration, local grocery stores, public schools, and the City’s new Recreation Center (now under construction). It is also just minutes from the downtown corridor, multiple parks, and regional sports complexes — making it an ideal place for new housing that connects people to jobs, services, and recreation.
The property is zoned RH-24 (Residential High, 24 units per acre) under the City’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan, which allows for high-density residential development, including multifamily housing. This zoning also supports the site as a transition between medium-density neighborhoods and nearby mixed-use or commercial areas.
Over the next decade, the Salt Flats development will be built in phases, creating a vibrant, mixed-income community. This site was selected because it aligns with Grand Junction’s commitment to inclusive growth, smart land use, and addressing critical housing needs in a central, well-connected location.
Site Due Diligence and Environmental Safety
Before moving forward with housing development, the City of Grand Junction completed extensive due diligence at the Salt Flats site to ensure it is a safe and suitable place for homes. “Due diligence” simply means taking all the proper steps — studies, tests, and investigations — to identify any potential risks before building.
Phase I Environmental Study
The first step was a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. This study looks at the property’s history, public records, maps, and a site inspection to determine if there are any “recognized environmental conditions” (RECs), such as hazardous spills, petroleum leaks, or other contamination. The Salt Flats site was found to be in compliance, with no active hazards. A historical cleanup had already taken place decades ago, when over 52,000 cubic yards of uranium mill tailings were removed. In 1989, the Department of Energy certified the site as meeting federal safety standards.
Grand Junction, like many communities in the West, has a history of uranium milling and mill tailings deposits. Through the federal Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Program, contaminated soils across the valley were identified, excavated, and hauled to permanent disposal sites. These efforts ensured that properties could be certified safe for reuse, protecting both residents and future development. The Salt Flats site is one of the many properties that went through this process and received federal clearance.
Groundwater Investigation
The City also collected and tested groundwater samples from monitoring wells across the property. The results found only very low levels of petroleum-related compounds, well below state safety standards. This confirmed there are no significant impacts to groundwater quality at the site.
Gamma Radiation Survey
Because of Grand Junction’s history with uranium milling, the City conducted a surface gamma radiation survey. Using a grid system and sensitive detection equipment, experts walked the site to measure radiation levels. All readings were below background levels typical in Colorado, meaning there is no elevated radiation risk and the site is safe for housing.
Geotechnical & Soil Studies
In addition, geotechnical investigations were carried out. These included drilling boreholes, analyzing soil samples, and monitoring groundwater depth to ensure the land can safely support new buildings, utilities, and roads. The studies confirmed that while the soils include clays, silts, and sandy layers, they are suitable for construction with standard engineering practices.
ChatGPT said:
At one time, the Salt Flats served as an unofficial local race track. Locals would bring cars—or sometimes just their curiosity—and test speed and skills across the flat, open terrain. This spontaneous racing history gives the land a unique character and a nostalgic connection to community life.
The flat, hard-packed surface made it a perfect place for impromptu races among friends and neighbors, long before it became a strategic site for housing. That history of local ingenuity and shared experience adds another layer of meaning as the Salt Flats transforms into a new neighborhood for Grand Junction.
Why the Name “Salt Flats”?
The name Salt Flats comes from the character of the soil itself. The area has long been known for its salty, alkaline soils, which give the ground a white, crusty appearance in certain conditions. These soils are common in Grand Junction and across the valley because of the region’s desert climate, limited rainfall, and high evaporation rates. Over time, salts naturally rise to the surface, leaving behind the distinctive “salty” look.
While these soils once made the site challenging for farming or other uses, with modern engineering and infrastructure improvements, they now provide a solid foundation for a new neighborhood — carrying forward the Salt Flats name as part of the community’s history.
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