HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 08/03/1999 - ITEMS RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VISITORS C AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 21 A-B
DATE: August 3, 1999
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL
STAFF: Frank W. Bruno
SUBJECT:
Items Related to the Development of the Visitors Center at the Environmental Learning Center(the
Center).
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution and of the Ordinance on First Reading.
TheNdevelopmen�ofthe�enter will cost approximately$1.8 million.This will be funded roughly as follows:Colorado
State University(46%of total project cost)$850,000, Colorado State Parks(33%of total project cost)$500,000,City
of Fort Collins (19.3% of total project cost) $340,000. Further, CSU will pay $37,000 for parking lot paving and
$107,000 towards future Prospect Road improvements. City staff expects to request Council approval in the 2000-01
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dget to pay for street oversizing related to the project and for the construction of a tum-bay into the site from
spect Road. The City will program funding in future years for the eventual re-engineering and reconstruction of
spect Road. This will follow the adoption of a storm water master plan for the Boxelder drainage basin. The City
will receive a 50-year lease for space within the Center in exchange for its total payment to CSU. Staff anticipates that
the City's share of annual facility operation and maintenance charges(roughly$10,000 to$15,000)will be paid by the
City's on-site vendor(the Convention Bureau).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
A. Resolution 99-97 Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an Intergovemmental Agreement with
Colorado State University Through the State Board of Agriculture for the Long-term Lease
of Visitor Center Space at the Environmental Learning Center.
B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 133, 1999,Authorizing the Conveyance of a Non-Exclusive
Easement for Parking to Colorado State University Through the State Board of Agriculture
in Connection with the Environmental Learning CenterNisitor Center Project.
Resolution 99-97 authorizes the Mayor to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with CSU.The
agreement specifies the term of the Agreement (50 years) and sets out the respective rights and
responsibilities of the parties regarding the leased space.The Agreement also sets forth certain terms
and conditions between the City and the University regarding the development of the Center.
Ordinance No. 133, 1999, conveys an easement to CSU on City property (roughly % acre on the
Resource Recovery Farm). The purpose of the easement is to allow CSU to develop a parking lot
that will serve both the Center,and the Geologic Gardens(Rock Park-described in detail at the end
of this summary). The 2-acre Rock Park will be located adjacent to the parking lot and the Center,
and will be developed in 2000 and 2001.
DATE: August 3, 199 2 ITEM NUMBER: 21 A-B
BACKGROUND:
Since 1996,City staff has been working closely with representatives from Colorado State University,
Colorado State Parks, and the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) concerning the development
of the Environmental Leaming CenterNisitors Center.
The Center will focus on environmental education,and will provide information about our local and
state parks, as well as the City's museums, trails and other local attractions. This appears to be a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to implement the vision that many community leaders have worked
to develop for the past ten years: to establish a multi-function visitor gateway, and environmental
education and cultural complex at Prospect Road and I-25.
Location:
The proposed Center will be located on five (5)acres owned by CSU and located on the south side
of Prospect Road,approximately one-quarter mile west of Interstate 25, and adjacent to the City's
Resource Recovery Farm (see attached map). The property was donated to CSU for the
Environmental Learning CenterNisitors Center by the K&M Company,and has been annexed into
the City as part of the CSU campus.
Vision:
The objective of this project is to create a world-class visitor and environmental education complex.
This facility will offer opportunities to focus visitor attention on CSU's Environmental Learning
Center, River Bend Ponds,the City's Resource Recovery Farm, CSU's agricultural farm, the trail
system, adjacent natural areas, and other community amenities. The concept is consistent with the
goals cited in the GOCO Legacy Project, Prospect Road Streetscape Program, and the
recommendations evolving from the Poudre River Land Use Framework Plan. The project is also
compatible with the goals and objectives of the Northern Colorado Regional Planning Study,
specifically the community gateway concept.
Education Element: The facility will include classrooms as well as interactive educational
opportunities within the larger ELC complex.Living demonstrations of native landscape will be used
for interpretative learning, and the Larimer County Youth Conservation Corps. will organize
programs for at-risk youth on-site that encourage the development of leadership skills and self-
confidence.
Tourism Element: The State of Colorado has designated the Center as the eighth and final official
State Visitors Center. The State has agreed to provide a minimum of$50,000 in funding each year
to pay for the operation of the State Welcome Center portion of the Environmental Learning
CenterNisitors Center.
In addition,the CVB will relocate its offices to the new center,providing visitor information services
to an anticipated 300,000 to 400,000 visitors during the first year of operation. This estimate was
derived from information provided by the State of Colorado, and is based on the number of actual
visitors traveling south on I-25.In addition,data was evaluated from official visitor centers in other
parts of the state. It is anticipated that this visitor center will be one of the busiest,due in part to the
twenty-million people who pass by each year on the northern corridor of Interstate 25.
DATE: August 3, 199 3 ITEM NUMBER: 21 A-B
This multi-agency approach will provide a more friendly,accessible and informative experience for
the visitor. The CVB will direct the visitor's focus to the activities of the Center and surrounding
properties,as well as providing information on the community's many attractions.This will include
museums, performing arts and events, galleries, trail system, and of course our many hotel
properties,shops and restaurants.The CVB's current location at the corner of Howes and Mulberry
is fairly limited in terms of visitor parking,display area,and overall ability to influence the visitor
before they have made their decision whether to spend time in Fort Collins.
Partnership:
The attached schematic illustrates the conceptual design for the Center. CSU's overall construction
costs for the project are estimated at roughly$1.8 million. CSU will obtain funds for the project as
follows:
Colorado State University $850,000.
Colorado State University(parking lottescrow) $145,000.
Colorado State Parks $500,000.
B/Private Sector/Hotels $ 30,000.
City of Fort Collins (lease payment) $340,000.
Base Project Total $1,830,000.
Fundingfrom the City:
The City's lease payment to CSU will be paid from a combination of Lodging Tax Capital Reserve
Funds($150.000)and a General Fund appropriation of$220,000 that was approved by Council as
part of the 1998-1999 City budget.
The Prospect Road turn-bay construction that is estimated to cost$210,000 is expected to be jointly
funded by the City and CSU. CSU has agreed to pay $107,400 toward construction of this
improvement. The City's share, if approved by Council,would be a one-time appropriation as part
of the 2000-2001 City budget. The General Fund may then be reimbursed over a 2-3 year period
from Lodging Tax received over the cap on the City's contract with the CVB. This amounts to
roughly$50.000 per year.The General Fund will also be required to purchase the roughly 3-acre site
that will be used for the parking lot and the Rock Park from the Water/Wastewater Utility. This
amount may also be reimbursed to the General Fund through Lodging Tax receipts.
Other Points to Consider.
The Center will showcase the Fort Collins community, CSU, and the State of Colorado to the
traveling public in a unique and integrated facility.
The project will create an attractive and central gateway to the community that is readily
accessible.
An information clearinghouse will be established that increases visibility for the natural,cultural,
recreational, and historical resources of Fort Collins.
DATE: August 3, 199 4 ITEM NUMBER: 21 A-B
This partnership among various agencies encourages efficient use of resources and building
space, and eliminates monthly rent for the agencies involved, enabling those resources to be
reallocated to facility enhancements and maintenance needs.
The Center will facilitate closer relationships among the partnering agencies, and CSU's
nationally recognized tourism faculty.This will also create opportunities for student interns and
community volunteers to develop links with recreation and tourism professionals.
Geologic/Rock Park Component:
In addition to the exciting work on the Environmental Leaming Center/Visitors Center, staff has
been working with the non-profit Geological Society of America(GSA is headquartered in Boulder)
on yet another exciting concept. GSA has proposed the development of a 2-acre Rock Park or
Geological Gardens adjacent to the ELC/Visitors Center.The GSA would raise the funds necessary
to develop the 2-acre parcel on the northern portion of the City's Resource Recovery Farm(the City
retains ownership of the site at all times). The site will be designed in such a way that will enable
the Rock Park to share parking and other transportation options with the ELC/Visitors Center.
In essence,the concept involves replicating the geology and topography of the State of Colorado,
roughly in the shape of the State,on the 2-acre site.As you can see from the attached schematic,the
plains, Front Range, mountains, canyons and plateaus will be replicated using rock samples
purchased and moved on site by the GSA.Following the complete development of the project,the
Park will be turned over to the City of Fort Collins to operate and maintain.The hours and operation
of the Rock Park will be coordinated with the activities and staffmg of the ELCNisitors Center.
In exchange for receiving the developed Rock Park,the City will agree to operate and maintain the
Park for a period of 25 years.The City and GSA have agreed to include an early termination clause
in the agreement between the City and GSA in the event that the Park is either not successful, or
becomes an undue burden to operate and maintain. It should be noted that GSA has committed to
covering the costs that may be involved in replacing rock samples, or addressing major Park
restoration.
Since no buildings or significant structures will be involved it is estimated that the annual
maintenance cost for this facility will be in the range of$10,000 to $15,000. (GSA is budgeting
roughly$4,000 per year in addition to this amount.) There will be a minimal cost to irrigate plants,
trees and shrubs, and provide emergency lighting(the facility will close at dusk; evening operation
is not anticipated).
GSA anticipates that the development of the Park will cost roughly $700,000, and will require
approximately one year to accomplish. Rock sample collection has been ongoing and with actual
construction of the Park to occur in 2000 and 2001. This would complement the proposed spring
2000 opening of the ELC/Visitors Center.
DATE: August 3, 199 5 ITEM NUMBER: 21 A-B
List of Attachments:
A. Vicinity Map
B. ELC/Visitors Center Site Plan
C. Parking Lot/Easement Site Plan
D. Rock Park Diagram
RESOLUTION 99-97
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
THROUGH THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE
LONG-TERM LEASE OF VISITOR CENTER SPACE
AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER/VISITORS CENTER
WHEREAS, Colorado State University ("CSU") is in the process of developing an
Environmental Learning/Visitor Center(the"Project")to increase natural resource educational and
outreach opportunities on a five acre parcel owned by CSU to the south of Prospect Road,
approximately one-quarter mile west of Interstate 25, adjacent to the City's Resource Recovery
Farm, and intends to construct the Project in this highly visible location, invite visitors to view
educational exhibits on the environment and to tour the area,including the Cache La Poudre River,
and to experience and learn from the natural environment; and
WHEREAS,the City similarly seeks to welcome and attract visitors to Fort Collins through
the efforts of its convention and visitor services contractor,the Fort Collins Convention and Visitors
Bureau; and
WHEREAS, in exchange for the City's cooperation in connection with the Project, and the
. advance payment of rents in the amount of$340,742,CSU has agreed to lease to the City 991 square
feet of dedicated space with access to 1,394.5 square feet of dedicated space within the Project for
use as a Visitor Center,for a period of fifty (50)years; and
WHEREAS.City staff has negotiated a proposed intergovernmental agreement setting forth
the respective rights and responsibilities of the City and CSU in connection with the lease of the
Visitor Center, and related issues; and
WHEREAS.the City is authorized to enter into intergovernmental agreements to provide any
function, service or facility, such as the Agreement, as provided in Article II, Section 16 of the
Charter of the City of Fort Collins and Section 29-1-203, C.R.S.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that the Mayor be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into an Agreement with Colorado
State University upon the terms and conditions shown on Exhibit "A", attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference,with such other terms and conditions,or minor modifications,
as the Mayor, in consultation with the City Manager and the City Attorney, may determine to be
necessary and appropriate to effectuate the purposes set forth therein.
Passed and adopted at regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 3rd day
of August, A.D. 1999.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
. ORDINANCE NO. 133, 1999
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF A NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT FOR
PARKING TO COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY THROUGH THE
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE IN CONNECTION WITH
THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER/VISITORS CENTER PROJECT
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Collins is the owner of that certain parcel of real property
located in Larimer County, Colorado, known as the Resource Recovery Farm; and
WHEREAS, Colorado State University ("CSU"), through the State Board of Agriculture,
wishes to acquire a non-exclusive easement under and through a portion of the Resource Recovery
Farm as described on Exhibit "A", attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference (the
"Easement"), for the construction and maintenance of a parking lot for parking and access in
connection with the Environmental Learning CenterNisitors Center Project to be constructed on
adjacent CSU property (the "Project"); and
WHEREAS,staffbelieves that the fair market value of the Easement will be more than offset
by the benefits to be enjoyed by the City as a result of the Project,and recommends that no further
compensation be required in exchange for the grant of the Easement; and
WHEREAS,Section 23-111(a)of the City Code provides that the City Council is authorized
to sell, convey or otherwise dispose of real property owned by the City, provided the Council first
finds by ordinance that any sale or other disposition of real property owned by the City is in the best
interest of the City of Fort Collins; and
WHEREAS, Section 23-111(b)provides that with respect to real property which is part of
the City's Utility Systems the City Council must also find that the lease of the property will not
materially impair viability of the particular utility system as a whole, and that it will be for the
benefit of the citizens of the City; and
WHEREAS, the Resource Recovery Farm is currently part of the City's utility system.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the conveyance of the Easement to the CSU through the Board of
Agriculture pursuant to the terms of this Ordinance is in the best interests of the City, and will not
materially impair the viability all or any portion of the City's utility system.
Section 2. That the Mayor is authorized to execute such documents of conveyance as
are necessary to convey the Easement interest to CSU through the Board of Agriculture upon the
terms and conditions described above.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 3rd day of
August, A.D. 1999, and to be presented for final passage on the 17th day of August, A.D. 1999.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading this 17th day of August,A.D. 1999.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
EXHIBIT A
• Legal Description
An access easement situate in the Northeast quarter of Section 21,Township 7 North, Range 68
West, of the a P.M., County of Larimer, State of Colorado, being more particularly described as
follows:
Considering the North line of-the Northeast quarter of said Section 21,as bearing South
88013'20"East, and with all bearings contained herein relative thereto:
Commencing at the North quarter comer of said Section 21;thence along said North fine of the
Northeast quarter, South 88*13'20"East 709.35 feet: thence South 00023'55"West 30.01 feet to
the Northeast comer of that certain parcel of land as described in Reception No.96022167, as
recorded in the office of the Clerk and Recorder of said County;thence along the West line of
said parcel as described in Reception No. 96022167, South 00023'55"West 498.76 feet to the
Southwest corner of said parcel;thence along the South line of said parcel, North 88634'00" East
105.58 feet to the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING of this description;thence South 00°24'21"
West 267.02 feet;thence North 88034'00" East 328.08 test:thence North 00023'33"East 266.65
feet to a point on the South line of said certain parcel as described in Reception No. 96022167;
thence along said South line, South 88034'00"West 328.08 feet to the point of beginning. The
above describe easement contains 2.01 acres,and is subject to all rights-of-way,easements and
restrictions now in use or on record.
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