Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01 Vail Trailblazer Award for Steve Lindstrom and George RutherVAI L TRAILBLAZER AWARD TOWN OF VAIL PROCLAMATION NO. 1, SERIES OF 2025 IN RECOGNITION OF VAIL'S TRAILBLAZER AWARD RECIPIENTS STEVE LINDSTROM AND GEORGE RUTHER WHEREAS, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to community housing in Vail, Steve Lindstrom and George Ruther have been named as joint recipients of the 2025 Trailblazer Award presented by the Vail Town Council. WHEREAS, the Town of Vail celebrated its 50th birthday of incorporation as a municipality on August 23, 2016, with numerous festivities taking place, including the debut of the Vail Trailblazer Award Program, a civic recognition whereby the Vail Town Council acknowledges an individual/s that exemplifies the spirit and fortitude in making Vail a great community through selfless contributions of time and talent which have made a lasting impact; WHEREAS, Lindstrom and Ruther have been tireless advocates for locals housing in their respective roles on the Vail Local Housing Authority (VLHA) and as the first director of the Vail Housing Department. They have been instrumental in shifting the political and popular narrative from the creation of housing being a sign of political overreach to resident -occupied, deed - restricted homes being an essential pillar of Vail's long-term prosperity; WHEREAS, Lindstrom was first appointed to the VLHA in 2001 and is currently serving his fifth consecutive five-year term as a volunteer. He has been appointed as chairperson by his fellow board members for the last 20 years, a sign of the respect his peers have for his commitment, expertise and approach; WHEREAS, Ruther was first hired as a town planner in 1994 and distinguished himself as an astute observer of Vail's political and social landscape. In 2011 he succeeded current Town Manager Russel Forrest as the Director of the Community Development Department and, along with Lindstrom, was instrumental in making the case for the creation of the Town of Vail's Housing Department. Ruther was tapped as its first director in 2018 and held the role until his retirement in 2024. WHEREAS, they have forged partnerships with the private sector, non -profits, neighboring municipalities, and the State of Colorado to develop creative pathways to house Vail's workforce. Working alongside the Vail Town Council, their tenacious advocacy for creating a continuum of housing for residents has resulted in projects ranging from Middle Creek Village and the redevelopment of the eastern portion of Timber Ridge to Lion's Ridge Village Apartments; to the Chamonix Vail Community and Residences at Main Vail. WHEREAS, Lindstrom and Ruther pioneered Vail's adoption of the innovative and award - winning Vail InDEED program in 2018, which has created housing opportunities for over 360 qualifying residents in over 175 Vail homes and has inspired similar programs across the country. The program was conceptualized based on an audacious goal to grow the number of deed restricted homes in Vail by another 1,000 by the year 2027. The Vail InDEED program, in concert with new homes constructed, have resulted in the creation of an additional 332 deed - restricted homes for full-time community members in Vail, bringing the total number to 1,030. WHEREAS, Lindstrom and Ruther recognize that there is still work to be done to meet Vail's housing needs. To fund the work of the future, they advocated for the passage of Town of Vail Ballot Initiative 2A, in which voters approved the first -ever increase in local sales tax dedicated to fund housing initiatives, housing developments, and housing programs for the town. The current redevelopment of Timber Ridge Village and the concept for West Middle Creek are legacy projects of Ruther still actively supported by Lindstrom. NOW, THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Vail Town Council, the tenth recipients of the Vail Trailblazer Award are George Ruther and Steve Lindstrom, who together have provided forward -thinking governance and a commitment to their principles. Through their efforts, lights are on in neighborhoods that were once dark and space continues to be made for working people to have pathways to homes and home -ownership in Vail. They have added an important and enduring chapter to Vail's storied history and we thank them for their contributions as trailblazers worthy of recognition. Dated this 25t" day of March, 2025. Vail Town Council A, . Or Travis Coggin, M Attest: �V,NTING Sp Y of s Z�o�po TKO �CO �co RA O� CCMMUN��y S ha Anson,/acting Town Clerk