From left, Division Manager for Kay-Kay Realty Robin Jacobi, Bethel Development & Qualcon Builders Development Project Manager Timothy Donhauser, CDD Director Paul Andrus, Public Works Director Anne Laurent, Council Chair Randall Ryti, Councilor David Izraelevitz, Council Vice Chair James Robinson, County Manager Steven Lynne, Housing Program Manager Margaret Ambrosino, Economic Development Administrator Dan Ungerleider and Interim Public Information Officer Leslie Bucklin tour the Canyon Walk Apartments Friday morning. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Canyon Walk Apartments are nearing completion. Landscaping, paving and obtaining the certificate of occupancy are still left to do. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
It may have been a lengthy process, but the Canyon Walk Apartments are nearing completion.
Friday morning, local government officials and the media toured the apartment development, on DP Road next door to the Los Alamos Fire Department training station.
Bethel Development & Qualcon Builders Development Project Manager Timothy Donhauser said paving is scheduled to occur this week and landscaping is still needed to be done.
Additionally, the certificate of occupancy needs to be obtained to keep the project’s awarded tax credits.
Still, Robin Jacobi, Division Manager for Kay-Kay Realty, reported that half of the 70 units in the development are already rented although move in dates can’t be promised just yet without the certificate of occupancy.
The apartment development consists of 10 one-bedroom, one bath apartments, 40 two-bedroom, two bath apartments and 20 three-bedroom, two bath apartments.
Additionally, there is a clubhouse, playground and picnic ramada.
The total project cost is $15.8 million. Bethel Development Inc. owns and operates the complex. Additionally, Bethel will own and operate the Bluffs, an 64-unit affordable apartment development marketed to seniors and will be age restricted, which will be across from the Canyon Walk Apartments. But Bethel is not the only player involved in these projects. Los Alamos County donated the land for the Canyon Walk Apartments and the Bluffs and invested $1.7 million in improving DP Road.
What makes Canyon Walk Apartments unique from other housing projects underway in Los Alamos County is that it is affordable housing. Every unit is income restricted according to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program as administered by the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority.
Donhauser said the rent will vary depending on each renter’s household income, but the range is $761 for a one bedroom apartment to $1,253 for a three-bedroom apartment. The maximum total household income that can qualify for an apartment range from $40,200 for a one-bedroom apartment to $75,360 for a three-bedroom apartment.
Just because the apartment units are affordable does not mean they are bare bones. Each unit gets a private patio or balcony that looks out onto the Canyon Rim Trail, the kitchens are equipped with Energy Star refrigerators and dishwashers, there are washer and dryer hookups and a master suite is included in the two and three-bedroom apartments.
The entire development features green building design for energy efficiency including the windows, light fixtures and the heating and cooling systems.
Many officials and staff on the tour said not only were they pleased that the project, which began back in 2020, was finally reaching completion but also how well it was executed.
“This project will be successful in adding affordable housing to the community,” Los Alamos County Council Chair Randall Ryti said. “I’m pleased to see the project being so close to completion. I also want to acknowledge the cooperation among the parties involved.”
County staff said they also were pleased with the project.
“I’m just excited it is almost done and it looks great,” County Manager Steven Lynne said. “I think it is going to be a great asset for the community – especially with how important housing is right now.”
“We’re very grateful to have Bethel as a developer who brought the apartments to Los Alamos through the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credit program … this project, together with the Bluffs across the street, were awarded the credits,” Housing Program Manager Margaret Ambrosino said. “They competed against bids submitted across the state. I think now more than ever with LANL hiring projections along with the national trends such as short-term rentals affecting long term housing … Los Alamos is very unique. In this community, it’s hard to buy right now due to limited housing supply in an affordable range … this development helps young families in the meantime, and helps them graduate to home ownership … I think it is especially important to have affordable housing projects. It’s just 70 units but it is going to help.”
Public Works Director Anne Laurent said she appreciated that the Canyon Walk Apartments were geared toward everyone.
“I guess I am really impressed with how they offer three bedrooms – that’s great for families … these apartments are geared toward singles as well as families,” she said.
Laurent added that she was impressed not only that the Canyon Walk Apartments cater toward families but they offer extra amenities for its tenants.
Community Development Director Paul Andrus also said he was pleased with the finished project.
“I’m really excited that we have gotten to this point to get these apartments online,” he said. “It’s going to support the community‘s efforts for workforce development and support our businesses. And it is going to add to the overall vibrancy of the downtown because folks are going to be working, living and spending time in the downtown. It is a long time coming but we are nearly there.”
Those interested in applying for a unit in the Canyon Walk Apartments can call 505.663.7075 or email info@canyonwalknm.com. The property manager, Lisa Langley, will assist.
A scene from one of three-bedroom apartments. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
The kitchen in a three-bedroom apartment. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
One of the rooms in a three-bedroom apartment. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
A bathroom in a three-bedroom apartment. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
A bathroom in a three-bedroom apartment. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
County Councilor David Izraelevitz looks over information about the Canyon Walk Apartments while touring a two-bedroom apartment. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
From left, Bethel Development & Qualcon Builders Development Project Manager Timothy Donhauser speaks with Council Vice Chair James Robinson and Councilor David Izraelevitz. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
