Steamboat Springs Transit will cut the ribbon on Sept. 30 for a new seasonal housing facility aimed at easing recruitment struggles for winter bus drivers, according to a statement released on Sunday.

The two-story, nearly 9,000-square-foot dormitory includes 16 double-occupancy rooms for up to 32 workers. Each floor features shared kitchens, lounges, quiet rooms and storage.

“Housing is a major advantage in attracting seasonal employees, especially in winter,” said Steamboat Springs Transit Manager Jonathan Flint in the statement. “This project helps SST stand out from other transit systems and makes joining our team the preferred choice.”

A ribbon-cutting event is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at the SST facility (1463 13th Street) and will include remarks from city officials, as well as tours of the new building.

The city had previously rented private units for seasonal SST staff for over a decade. In the statement, Deputy City Manager Kelly Romero-Heaney said the new accommodations should provide stability in recruiting and reflect broader efforts to address workforce housing.

During the winter, the facility will house bus drivers, and in the summer, any open space could be used by seasonal workers from the Parks and Recreation Department. 

The project involved several local firms, including HLCC Construction Co. as the general contractor, Eric Smith & Associates as the architect and Landmark Consultants as the civil engineering firm. 

The first residents are expected to move in this week, just ahead of the winter season.