After years of sitting vacant, the historical Ghost Ranch Lodge will finally be turned into affordable, low-cost housing for seniors.
The Arizona Department of Housing recently awarded the project $1 million in annual tax credits for 10 years. The project will restore and preserve the lodge's Joesler buildings while providing 60 one-bedroom units to seniors, most of whom will be at least 55.
The nearly $12 million project will combine the tax credits with city and state funds, as well as possibly private financing. It should be completed within two years, said Scott E. Gillette, an attorney representing Mesa developer Mark Breen. For city officials, the restoration of Ghost Ranch Lodge, on West Miracle Mile near North Oracle Road, is a key step in revitalizing one of Tucson's unique corridors.
"We have received the financing, and we are excited to move forward," Gillette said. "It is a good development, and without the tax credits we couldn't move forward."
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For nearly five years, there have been plans to develop Ghost Ranch Lodge into affordable housing for senior citizens, but despite those plans nothing has happened.
The 8-acre property was first bought by Development Design Group in November 2004 for $2.5 million.
Development Design Group, which was then a wholly owned subsidiary of Cope Community Services, planned to turn the lodge into 93 units for senior citizens through tax-credit financing.
The tax credits were awarded, but the deal fell apart due to infighting and allegations of mismanagement between Development Design Group and Cope, with the two sides suing each other.
Meanwhile, the lodge sat vacant on Miracle Mile, surrounded by chain-link fence, a magnet for vandals.
Breen bought the lodge in an auction in the summer of 2007 with plans to turn it into affordable housing for seniors using tax-credit financing, albeit as a slightly smaller project.
But the state did not award the tax credits, putting everything on hold, much to Breen's apparent frustration.
"I intend to demolish the buildings and put (a) used-car lot on the property," Breen wrote to the Star in an e-mail after the state's decision. "Shame on the state, for they knew my alternative plan."
An arsonist set fire to the lodge in December, causing $300,000 in damage.
Best known for its cow-skull-shaped sign designed by famed artist Georgia O'Keeffe, Ghost Ranch Lodge was built in the 1940s. Prominent Tucson architect Josias Joesler designed many of its units.
The office of City Councilwoman Karin Uhlich, who represents the Miracle Mile area, has worked with Breen to make the development happen.
"It is such an important cornerstone property," Uhlich said, "not only for Miracle Mile, but the entire revitalization area that we are focusing on.
"I can tell you that we will continue to do everything in the city's power to hold on to this historic property and convert it to good use," Uhlich said.
Cope President Pat Benchik, who in many ways came up with the idea of converting the lodge into senior housing, said he, too, was glad to see the development begin, even if it is through a different firm. Meanwhile, Cope and the Development Design Group have settled their disputes.
"It's been a dream that now is going to become a reality," he said. "It's been a long time coming."