The historic Ghost Ranch Lodge is a step closer to conversion into affordable senior housing.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors voiced support on Tuesday for a developer’s proposal for such a use at the Miracle Mile landmark, 801 W. Miracle Mile.
The shuttered resort is in the midst of a row of mostly dilapidated motels and other former tourist attractions at what once was a glitzy entryway of the Old Pueblo, west of Oracle Road and east of Interstate 10.
GRL Apartments LP, a subsidiary of Atlantic Development and Investments of Hartfold, Conn., is proposing senior apartments at the lodge, designed by Tucson architect Josias Joesler and signs by Georgia O’Keefe.
“This is a good opportunity for affordable housing in a community that needs it,” board Chairman Richard Elías said.
Besides the design by the noted Tucson architect, the lodge was famous for its landscaped grounds, which the developer has pledged to keep intact as much as possible if the plan to revamp the site goes through.
Conversion of the property to affordable housing would require a combination of private and public funding from the developer, the city, the county and the federal government through senior housing grant funds.
Area homeowners and business owners have watched the possible future of the lodge for years.
“I think they are sincere about doing a good job,” Ken Scoville told the board.
He is a historian, a member of the Tucson Downtown Alliance and a representative of the Oracle Road area’s residential associations.