About Canal Commons
Canal Commons is a new parkside neighborhood along the historic canal in Green River, Utah being developed by Epicenter Properties, LLC. These much-needed homes have been sized for local development team capacity with a focus on high quality design, affordability, energy efficiency, and accessibility. This project also features the old town park restored as Pearl Baker Park, with natural playscapes, outdoor classrooms, and shaded picnic areas among a tall grove of cottonwood trees.
Why Here?
Located along Interstate 70 in Emery County, the rural community of Green River has experienced different booms and busts as a result of the railroad, uranium and coal mining, agriculture, and a military missile base. Each of these industries has either declined dramatically or departed the region altogether, leaving behind a community with a fraction of the population it once had. But for a lucky 847 people Green River, Utah is home.
This project is a direct response to both the community’s urgent need for accessible, affordable rental units and a lack of starter homes for those seeking homeownership; Canal Commons, sized specifically for local development team capacity, focuses on high quality design, affordability, and accessibility. Energy efficiency and durability of materials are a key part of design; reducing monthly utility bills and maintenance costs makes a significant difference in the limited finances of low- and moderate- income (“LMI”) families and individuals in order to better ensure personal financial stability.
Unfortunately, decades of decreasing population have not resulted in a surplus of affordable housing. The demand is incredibly high in Green River, where currently there are no affordable housing developments under construction nor have there been since the 1970’s. Individuals impacted most by the shortage tend to be low and moderate income workers such as teachers, public safety officials, and young adults who want to move back home. In a recent survey of employers in the community, 70% of respondents have employees that are struggling to find housing that is of sufficient quality for their families.
Pre-Development
In late 2019, the City of Green River issued a Request for Proposals for a 4 acre lot in acknowledgement of the need for more accessible, affordable housing in town. Epicenter’s proposal for the development of Canal Commons was selected by the City: 10 affordable single-family homes, with both rental and owner-occupied options. Because the City originally received the land as a donation, Epicenter proposed a trade of in-kind service equal to the land’s value; assistance with city events, grant writing, design services, etc. This trade allows Epicenter to absorb the $109,000 land “cost” rather than pass that cost on to the future tenants and home-owners.
Epicenter Properties, LLC., was formed in mid-2020 as a limited-liability company specifically for Canal Commons and future Epicenter real estate developments. Epicenter, a 501(c)3, is the sole member of the LLC. This project may not have ever made it beyond the pre-development phase without support from Enterprise Community Partners through their Pre-Development Grant program and Rose Fellowship program. Epicenter was the recipient of a Rose Fellow (architect Lindsey Briceno) from 2018-2020.