Whitefish OK’s Ruis apartment complex

Columbia Falls developer Mick Ruis is building 146 rental apartments, including some deed-restricted as affordable in Whitefish. The development was recently approved by the Whitefish City Council with a unanimous vote.

The proposed project known as the Whitefish Corridor Community is located between Texas Avenue and Colorado Avenue north of Edgewood Place. The project includes 146 units with both one- and two-bedroom styles that would occupy seven buildings on about 6.5 acres.

Thirty percent of the apartments, 44 units, are deed restricted for permanent affordability as the developer chose to participate in Whitefish’s voluntary Legacy Homes Program that encourages the building of affordable housing. The deed-restricted units consist of a mix of 12 one-bedroom and 32 two-bedroom units to serve residents who earn 60%-80% area median income (AMI).

The project is proposed by Ruis Texco LLC which is owned by Columbia Falls developer Mick Ruis. Ruis has taken on several projects in Columbia Falls, including apartments, hotels, commercial buildings and restaurants, but this would be his first large housing project in Whitefish. He also is working on an apartment complex project in Kalispell.

THE CITY received 26 letters about the Whitefish Corridor Community. Fifteen were in support of the project, while 11 voiced several concerns about the impact on the existing neighborhood. 

At the council meeting, the majority of the nine members of the community who made public comments were in support of the project and a couple voiced concerns about the lack of sufficient infrastructure, traffic and the need for buffering.

Shelter WF’s co-founder and treasurer Mallory Phillips spoke in support of the project and linked that support to her belief that people should have choices about whether or not to live in Whitefish.

“Right now it is only those that are wealthy or privileged or long-time locals like me, that have those choices,” she said.

Whitefish resident Amy Boring alluded to conversations she’s had with a friend and with the project’s manager. She claimed the development is unsafe because it “barely passed the traffic impact report.” And added that the owner, Ruis, pressured someone to sell their home, and that “C-Falls hands out permits like candy.”

At the end of public comment, Ruis spoke in an effort to set the record straight. He said he asked that person once if he was interested in selling his house but there was no pressure.

Ruis described himself as a scaffold builder by trade and said his family has invested $35 million in Columbia Falls. He defended the improvements his company has made in Columbia Falls which was once a lot less vibrant than it is now.

“There is no way that Columbia Falls has ever just rubber-stamped our stuff,” said Ruis. “I think they’re very appreciative. I wanted to invest in my community and that’s what we did.”

“I’m willing to work with people and more than fair so whatever you guys decide, it’s OK on my end,” Ruis told the council. “I’m only trying to do something that’s better for the whole community.”

COUNCIL’S DISCUSSION was brief but included adding a condition that no basements are to be built, with concerns about the water table. Though basements are not in the plans, Councilor Rebecca Norton wished to assure it stay that way if the development changed hands.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING was discussed by the public and councilors as a major benefit of this project. The 44 deed-restricted units will serve residents who earn 60%-80% area median income (AMI).

AMI is determined annually and for 2022, according to a previous Whitefish Pilot report, the AMI in Flathead County for a two-person household was $80,444. The city says the actual rents will be determined at the time of building and completion of the units.

Ruis chose to voluntarily participate in the Whitefish Legacy Homes Program which offers incentives for developers who volunteer to provide affordable housing by making at least 20% of their projects affordable. In this development by Ruis, 30% of the units will be deed restricted.

“We believe they’ve demonstrated clear community benefit by deviating from the adopted standard,” said Whitefish Senior Planner Wendy Compton-Ring.

The incentives to be used are additional building height of up to 40 feet, reduced parking that would require 256 spaces and a density bonus that would allow for 167 units. The development is not taking full advantage of the incentives and will provide 280 parking spaces and 146 units.

THE SITE will be accessed by one driveway off Colorado Avenue and two off Texas Avenue. The buildings toward the edges of the property are two-story structures, while three-story buildings are located closer to the center of the property and contain 24 units each.

One building includes community space for the residents, a maintenance shop and a bike storage area. There are several open areas around the development, the largest three are designed with landscaping and trails.

A traffic impact study was completed for the project and it suggested re-timing the traffic signal at the intersection of Edgewood Place and Wisconsin Avenue. The city is requesting the developer work with the Montana Department of Transportation on the signal.

In closing, prior to council’s vote, Mayor John Muhlfeld said he often enjoys visiting the downtown area of Columbia Falls and thanked Ruis for bringing this housing project to Whitefish.

“You’ve done wonders over there, so I just wanted to say we certainly appreciate you taking an interest in Whitefish,” Muhlfeld said.

The developer created a website for the project in order to keep the community abreast of the development. The site includes updates and contact information. Visit www.whitefishcorridorcommunity.com for more information.