Two long-awaited housing projects, which together promise to increase the total number of available residential units in Boulder by more than 15 percent over the next two years, are slowly making progress.
At the western end of Hauser Street, contractor Ryan Werner has finished construction of five of a planned 25 duplex townhouses. He expects to lay the foundation for five more by year-end, and to complete construction within two years. Presently, excavators and other heavy machinery are completing a significant earth moving operation, while contractors and other day laborers put finishing touches on the first of the finished homes.
The Fuller Subdivision, first proposed by Boulder resident Buster Bullock in 2021, faces a more uncertain timeline. Bullock’s plan contemplates at least 36 units on land near the Boulder cemetery — but while the city has extended permitting approvals to 2026, the development continues to be slowed by litigation.
City officials continue to support the projects. “Boulder is a growing community, and we need to be prepared to receive people who want to move here,” said Boulder city administrator Brian Bullock, who is also Buster’s second cousin. “This is a great place to live, and as housing becomes increasingly expensive in Helena more and more people are going to be interested in moving here.”
In 2022, according to U.S. Census data, there were 534 habitable dwelling units in Boulder, excluding trailers. “Boulder absolutely needs more housing, and we’re glad for the opportunity to build here,” said Werner. “Working with the city has been a breeze, and they’ve been very supportive throughout this whole process. We’re making a real effort to make this an attractive place for families. Affordable spaces with big yards. That’s what this community needs.”
Werner is currently renting the completed buildings as individual apartments, due to city ordinances that prevent the construction and sale of condominiums within city limits. However, according to Brian Bullock, imminent changes to city zoning codes will allow for such construction, and for Werner to sell the properties to private, single family purchasers.
“Eventually, once things get settled with the city, we’ll sell most, if not all, of these off,” said Werner. “We want to get everything in place so that people can live well here, and then largely take care of the subdivision themselves.”
Fuller Subdivision has been slowed by a lawsuit brought by Boulder residents Edward and Anita McCauley concerning an irrigation ditch they own and the specifics of an accompanying easement. In June, the Montana Fifth Judicial District Court dismissed claims against the city, but the McCauleys are still free to pursue their suit against Fuller Subdivision.
“We’ve been put three years behind,” said Buster Bullock. “We could probably get started now if we really wanted, but at a risk. And we want these lots to be affordable, but a lot has changed since we started in 2021. Our projected costs for power and gas have doubled, maybe tripled, and then we have legal fees we’d like to recover. But those aren’t project ending concerns, and I think we can remain cheap enough for young families to do something special here.”
Buster Bullock is waiting until subdivision development is underway before identifying appropriate lot pricing. Werner has yet to finalize potential property sale prices, but aims to make the properties accessible to middle and lower income buyers. He intends to list the properties for rent or sale as they are completed, while he completes the subdivision’s necessary infrastructure. He has already connected the properties to public water and sewer lines and constructed a private central irrigation system; he says he will complete road pavement this upcoming spring.
Bullock will take on similar work once an outcome arrives from the McCauleys’ lawsuit, but hopes to complete those efforts in 2025. At the moment, no hearing dates have been scheduled that might bring a definitive conclusion to the McCauleys’ lawsuit.
“We need more people in Boulder,” said Buster Bullock. “We need to make our community better, and that means bringing in families and giving them a reason to stay. I’m confident that we’ll be able to move forward though, maybe even somewhat quickly. But we’re waiting, now. A judge needs to rule on this, if [the McCauleys] are going to continue with the lawsuit. We’ll reach out to their side once more, to see if they’re done. But if not, we wait.”
