| Project Scope:
During the fourth quarter (4Q) of
1999 and the first quarter (1Q) of 2000, Campbell County
Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) recognized various
signs of an increased demand for housing in the Gillette area.
Early indications of increased residential demands sparked a
growing interest among some local housing developers to consider
potential housing developments in the City of Gillette and other
nearby properties in the Gillette Urban Services Area.
While the signs of increased
residential demand were increasingly evident, the memory of
housing projects constructed during past economic development
boom periods was also vivid to many Gillette residents and the
Gillette business community. Developers, bankers, realtors, and
other community leaders wanted to examine relevant housing
trends and related information that could help better evaluate
the future need for housing, housing development opportunities,
and the financial viability of potential housing development
projects. Because of this need, Pedersen Planning Consultants
was retained by the CCEDC to evaluate future housing demands for
the 2000-2015 period.
PPC initially evaluated existing
housing characteristics and evaluated the prospects for future
employment. Representatives of regional industrial and
commercial employers were interviewed to assess potential
opportunities for new employment associated with ongoing
coal-bed methane development, surface coal extraction, larger
commercial and institutional employers, and other potential
economic activities. Potential housing demands were determined
for various segments of the anticipated labor force.
|
| PPC also evaluated the capability
of Gillette to support future housing demands. This analysis
was accomplished through discussions with planners from the City
of Gillette and Campbell County, as well as a window survey of
all residential neighborhoods. This combined information
enabled PPC to locate potential residential development sites
and assess their suitability for future residential expansion.
In 2001, CCEDC requested Pedersen
Planning Consultants to update the 2000 report because of
renewed prospects for continued coal bed methane production, new
regional power plant development, and continued coal extraction
activities that signaled an even greater potential demand for
rental and fee simple housing in both Gillette and the Town of
Wright. Changes in residential housing demands were
supplemented with new approaches and potential locations for
future residential expansion in both communities. |
