City Council recently approved work extending water and sewer infrastructure to Montrose Drive and the development of a new Les Schwab Tire Center.
The project is located at 1901 S. Townsend Avenue, south of Montrose County Health and Human Services, and directly across Townsend Avenue from a Big O Tire shop.
City Engineer Scott Murphy told council the existing infrastructure didn’t support any development, but council approved the removal of an obsolete waterline, which would allow for sewer installation.
The development agreement includes around $368,000 in city funds, which will reimburse the cost for the waterline replacements and well as sidewalk improvements.
A blueprint shows where infrastructure replacements are taking place and the site of a future Les Schwab Tire Center. (City of Montrose)
The city’s work on the infrastructure in the area isn’t extended only to Les Schwab.
There are three other plots, which are available for future development, adjacent to the Les Schwab development. But adding the infrastructure would extend even beyone that parcel of land.
“It opens up that area for future development,” Mayor J. David Reed said during the council meeting. “This investment, this in-kind contribution by the City of Montrose, does not benefit one single developer, but opens up the entire area to future developers.”
Murphy told the council members that north of Murdoch’s in the general area surrounding the development, there currently isn’t any city main line available to development. He said it would serve not only that development, but also “the ones south of it and even ones beyond.”
“This could open many, many more projects,” Reed clarified.
City Manager Bill Bell said the investment allows for in-fill of undeveloped land.
“We’re trying to fill in those empty spaces throughout our community,” he said. “It’s just more cost-effective and efficient that way.”
The work will be done along Montrose Drive.
The development of the tire center will cost around $9.5 million, and Les Schwab projects yearly revenue of around $3.5 million.
The tire center expects to employ 10-12 full-time workers with incomes ranging between $40,000 and $115,000, with benefits.
Les Schwab signed a 20-year lease for the land.
All councilors, besides Ed Ulibarri, approved funding the infrastructure portion of the project.
Justin Tubbs is the Montrose Business Times editor. He can be reached by email at justin@montrosebusinesstimes.com or by phone at 970-765-0915 or mobile at 254-246-2260.
