People Connected, Naturally Powered
Located in the Geos Neighborhood
in Arvada, Colorado
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Land Status Update
We know that many of you open up the newsletter mainly to find out what’s happening with the land and the Gatehouse. The short version: we didn’t buy the land yet, but we have a plan for how to build the Gatehouse on it. It’s not too late to get a unit in it.
We met twice with Chad Ellington, founder of Peak Development, and new owner of the land on which the Gatehouse will be built. Yes, he wants to sell it to us so we can build the Gatehouse there. We have 6 months to find a builder and buy the land.
We bought new conceptual drawings for the Gatehouse. It’s a smaller building, just 12 units. Michael Tavel of Sun Studios drew the new building, and it’s lovely. The courtyard opens up the park on the west of the building. All the units have west or southwest windows, with views of the mountains and Ralston Creek. Many have windows onto parks on both the east and west. You can see the drawings on the website at https://www.ralstoncreekcohousing.org/a-unique-place/. (Scroll down a ways.)
When the land was sold last fall, we lost more than half of our members. We had 9 full members and 2 explorers. Now we have 5 full members. So, even with a smaller building, we don’t have enough members to buy the land ourselves. Six months is not enough time to recruit more members, get a construction loan and buy the land.
Instead, we are seeking a builder to partner with us. The builder buys the land and builds on it. For the builder to get a construction loan, they need buyers to sign contracts and put down earnest money. These buyers don’t take out a construction loan themselves; the builder does. Then the buyers come in at the end when they sell their current homes. We met with a fabulous builder candidate on Friday. They have our new plans and will tell us for what price and date they think they can build the Gatehouse. We have 3 other potential candidates to meet yet.
We are the buyers, the current members and the mailing list. About 125 of our mailing list participants read this newsletter every time we send it out. We think there are 7 more buyers out there on the list waiting to hear a price and a move-in date. These are the people who never had the cash on hand to put up for a construction loan. These are the people who wanted to buy at the end, buying conventionally when they sold their current home. Now we can bring you in. In fact, we think there are a lot more than 7 of you out there. Once you all see the plans, the price, and the date, we think we’ll have 12 buyers and a waiting list.
Once we have the builder, the price estimate, and the approximate date, we’ll send out a survey to the mailing list and see how many people will be interested in that price and date. Stay tuned.
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March Video Chat
Friday, March 26th
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
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Grab your favorite cuppa, get comfy on your couch, and meet with us online. The video chat started before COVID, a way for people all over the country to find out more about Ralston Creek CoHousing. But, it is perfect for sheltering in place. Can’t make an in-person event? Or, don’t do those anymore? No problem! Grab your favorite cuppa, get comfy on your couch, and meet with us online.
We’ll hold a video conference that you can join through a browser on your computer or even your phone. On the call, we’ll introduce ourselves and show you pictures and details about our community plans at Ralston Creek. You will be able to see and hear everyone on the call and ask questions as they come up for you.
To register for the meeting, send us an email at ralstoncreekcoho@gmail.com and we’ll send you the link you’ll need to attend the meeting. If you’re out of the area, this is Mountain Time
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Ralston Creek Trail in Winter |
The Ralston Creek Trail is a such a wonderful resource for us. See Tori's blog on our website, "Late Winter on the Trail."
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Virtual Happy Hour
Wednesday, March 17th
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Join the members of Ralston Creek Cohousing for a lively discussion online. Bring your favorite snack, dessert, and/or beverage and let’s discuss community living! This month, we’ll start the conversation with St. Patrick’s Day traditions and celebrating holidays in community.
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March 6th
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
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Geos doesn’t mow the weeds in the areas where the houses haven’t been built yet. We have goats to keep them under control. They move with their fencing around the property, munching on the grass and fascinating the neighborhood children (and their parents). A group of dedicated Geos and Ralston Creek Cohouser goat keepers get together to move their fences to a new “pasture” every few weeks.
Come join the crew for the December move to their solstice pasture. We’ll follow with cider and coffee for the goat crew and their supporters. Anyone who wants to help with the goats is welcome, and the rest of us can cheer them on!
If you don’t know where the goats are, meet at Tori’s Townhouse and she’ll send you out to the goats.
Tori's Townhouse, 15047 W. 68th Pl., Arvada, CO 80007
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Become an Explorer
Want to know more about cohousing and Ralston Creek? We welcome you to become an Explorer Member. As an Explorer, you will have the opportunity to fully explore Ralston Creek Cohousing, attend business meetings, and get to know (and have a lot of fun) with your future neighbors.
For more information about the membership process, please visit our website Path To Membership
Want to know more? Give us a call or send us an email!
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Learn More About Us
At
to view our website!
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Make sure to follow us on Facebook to get all of our
updates, memos and more!
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Ralston Creek Cohousing 303-704-2168
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