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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986 - Downtown Development Authority - Annual ReportddoD(%VNTOWN � DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 102 REMINGTON STREET, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80524 (303) 484-2020 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 1986 ANNUAL REPORT Continuing its efforts to bring renewed economic vitality to the core area of Fort Collins, the Downtown Development Authority devoted its efforts in 1986 to three principal projects: Robinson Piersal Plaza, the Opera House, and the Linden Hotel. Formal agreements were reached on all three projects and have all received City Council approval. Robinson Piersal Plaza, a mixed -use, joint -venture project which included participation by the DDA, the private sector, and the Fort Collins Housing Authority, was the largest and most ambitious proposal undertaken in 1986. To be built on a long -vacant block at the corner of Mulberry and College Avenue, this facility will bring a major new supermarket and 67 new senior, and low income senior housing units to downtown. DDA participation in the project, established at $850,000, was presented to the voters in November of 1986 and was approved by a two -to -one margin. The Opera House project involved a major rehabilitation of three buildings on the west side of the 100 block of North College Avenue. When completed, this project will provide upgraded retail space on the main downtown commercial strip, an enclosed pedestrian mall linking College Avenue with the LaPorte parking lot, and, eventually, a new performing arts theatre facility. In Old Town, the anticipated renovation of the Linden Hotel will be a significant step in extending the major work already completed within this national historic district. Proposed as a boutique style suite hotel, the completed project will anchor the 200 block of Linden Street and help to improve downtown's connection with the Poudre River. The DDA, in conjunction with the City Planning Department, also initiated a market analysis and land use plan for downtown. Begun last fall, the analysis should be completed by early summer 1987 and provide a valuable recruitment tool the Authority can use to bring desirable new projects to downtown Fort Collins. Two new members were appointed to the Board of Directors in 1986: Jeanne Abdelnour, owner of Office Consultants and Lucia Liley, a partner in the law firm of March, Myatt, Korb, Carroll, and Brandes. duuDdUVNTOWN 0 DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 102 REMINGTON STREET, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80524 (303) 484-2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council FROM: Barbara Schofield, Downtown Development Authority Chairman DATE: April 2, 1986 RE: Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority, Annual Report Three years of hard work by the community of Fort Collins, City Hall, and the Downtown Development Authority to initiate the revitalization of the City's central business district began bearing fruit in 1985. Goals and objectives which had been discussed for a decade took shape in real bricks and mortar. A pedestrian mall was built giving a completed and coordinated quality to the largest renovation. project ever attempted in Fort Collins. The City saw its first multi -level parking ramp built. Through a cooperative effort involving the Downtown Development Authority, City Hall, and Burlington Northern Railroad, a large rail yard in the center of town was relocated permitting the implementation of a new traffic circulation plan. There was also the first major rejection of a DDA project as city voters overturned plans for the Oak Park residential development. OLD TOWN SQUARE. For years, this community discussed renovating part or all of its major downtown historic district. Through a public -private partnership involving the DDA and Mitchell and Co., the idea became reality. In 1985, over 110,000 square feet of new and renovated commercial space on both sides of the 100 block of Linden Street opened its doors to the public. The DDA contributed $1.7 million for the construction of a public plaza, for undergrounding and upgrading public utilities, and for landscaping. City cooperation was critical to the project especially in making the land available for the plaza and in appropriating the funds to pay for the public improvements. PARKING GARAGE. A long-time concern about downtown Fort Collins has been the shortage of convenient parking. To help address this issue, the DDA commissioned the design and construction of the City's first multi -level parking structure. Completed early in 1985, the new building added 334 parking spaces to the downtown area in a facility designed to blend in with the - historic nature of the neighborhood. The brick facade, arches, and pocket park landscaped only with plants native to Colorado, brought enough distinction to the facility to earn it an Award of Merit from the American Concrete Institute. RELOCATION OF THE RAILROAD YARD. Through the combined efforts of the City, Burlington Northern Railroad, and the DDA, a plan to relocate the Railroad's downtown switching yards was implemented in 1985. Today, only the main tracks remain and the City has extended Mason Street northward to Cherry Street. OAK PARK. One of the DDA's primary objectives has been to encourage new residential development in the downtown district. When, in 1985, the opportunity for new housing became available, the Authority quickly seized it. However, because of the perceived cost to taxpayers, the community strongly rejected the plan. While the Authority's commitment to new housing in the downtown remains strong, it's consideration of benefits versus costs will be weighed with more care in the future. 1985 BOARD CHANGES. Four new members and a new City Council representative were appointed to the DDA Board of Directors in 1985. Larry Estrada replaced Barbara Rutstein as the Council's representative. Barbara Liebler, George Betz, Eldon Ward, and Bill Friedrichsen assumed Director's positions previously held by Arthur March, Ray Dixon, Dave McCarry, and Jim Reidhead. Mr. Estrada is the Director of E1 Centro Chicano at Colorado State University. Ms. Liebler is an artist and owns Textile Studios. George Betz is a real estate broker and owner of Hansen, Inc. Eldon Ward is an urban design professional and is President of Cityscape, Inc. Bill Friedrichsen is a partner in the accounting firm of Brock, Buchholz, and Stow.