Wyoming Game and Fish Department to build employee homes

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has said it is considering adding up to 16 residences to help its staff afford housing in Jackson Hole.

The agency has contracted with Plan One Architects to design a development near South Park Wildlife Habitat Management Area, the Jackson Hole News & Guide reported.

"We're trying to be very (respectful) of the habitat, placing the housing up by the highway and not impacting habitat down below in the river bottoms," Plan One Architects president Dan Odasz said.

The development is in early design and approval stages and would be built in two stages, officials said.

The first phase would cost up to $4 million for a single six-bedroom house for seasonal staff and six homes for full-time employees, including three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage. The second phase would add another nine three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes at a future undetermined date.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has not yet committed funding to the proposed housing project.

Odasz recommended commissioners first contract with Jorgensen Associates to drill a water well and start the rezoning process with Teton County, which is expected to take up to six months. However, commissioners wanted firmer cost figures before allocating funds.

No action has been taken on the project yet.