The Olympian in downtown Steamboat achieves gold medal status as Walkers’ Paradise...helps property values!

A new study conducted by CEOs for Cities, a group of urban redevelopment advocates, has shown a direct correlation between above-average walkability and home values. Neighborhoods located in more walkable neighborhoods, those with a mix of daily shopping, parks, schools and social destinations, command a price premium over similar homes found in less walkable areas. Using the online walkability rating engine (www.walkscore.com), the Olympian earns a scores of 91 out of 100 - designated as a "Walker's Paradise."

The criteria that are used to define walkability seem to be drawn from downtown Steamboat natural attributes:

• A center: Steamboat has an easily discernable center which includes a plethora of shopping, dining, and public spaces.
  
• Density: The compact nature of downtown Steamboat, directly complimented with the new retail/loft buildings such as the Olympian, (www.theolympiansteamboat.com) allows local businesses to flourish and public transportation to be utilized frequently. Steamboat's extensive public transportation system easily allows pedestrians to be transported to the ski area and can allow for a car-free vacation or allows locals to park theirs for longer periods of time.
  
• Mixed income/use: The attractive and eclectic nature of downtown Steamboat, from historic bungalows to new loft units, creates housing for the young and old, singles and families, and those from different income levels. In addition, it allows second homeowners to become more easily integrated into the community.
  
• Parks and public space: Steamboat is rich with parks and public space, including the Yampa River and core trail that goes through the heart of downtown, our new library, and our numerous public parks and playgrounds.
  
• Pedestrian-centric design: Buildings have been placed close to the street to cater to foot traffic, with many of the newer developments allowing for underground parking.
  
• Nearby schools and workplaces: Steamboat's core is full of local business and schools close enough to allow its citizens to walk from their homes.

While those of us who live in Steamboat Springs have known for years, downtown Steamboat meets all the walkability criteria with flying colors. This is in the top ten percent of the over 6,000,000 addresses that have been served a designation. Prudential Broker, Brian Ladd, researched the study and found this to be incredibly impactful for potential buyers.

"As a downtown Steamboat resident I have experienced first-hand the benefits of living in a "Walker's Paradise," said Ladd. "The opportunity to walk my kids to school, nearby parks, and sneak away for a quick fly-fishing retreat on the Yampa River is something that I do not take for granted."

Brian Ladd recently joined the team at Prudential Steamboat Realty and will be working from the new Olympian Sales Center on 5th and Yampa. Brian is a fourth generation real estate agent and developer and Steamboat's only Earth Advantage S.T.A.R certified agent, (Sustainability Training for Accredited Real Estate Professionals).

Sources: "Walking the Walk" How Walkabilty Raises Home Values in U.S. Cities. Joe Cortright, Impresa, Inc,. for CEOs for Cities, August 2009. www.walkscore.com

Brian Ladd: brian@skitownonline.com (970) 819-490