HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-ELEVEN @ COLLEGE & MAGNOLIA - PDP/APU - PDP120026 - CORRESPONDENCE - CITY STAFFThank you for this opportunity to express our observations and concerns, and please contact us with any questions.
Regards,
Todd Dangerfield
Project Manager
Cc: Laurie Kadrich
Cattbenalt
Executive Director
dda
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
January 22, 2013
City of Fort Collins Development Review
c/o Courtney Levingston, City Planner
281 North College Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Dear Courtney:
As you know, we requested current information and development drawings submitted for the proposed 7-Eleven retail
building at 112 Magnolia Street. We do appreciate this opportunity to review the character of the project, and we would
like to share our concerns with you regarding the design and single -purpose use of this site. The DDA Board of Directors
has not reviewed this project, and there is not a pending funding proposal from the project developer that is being
considered. These comments are offered only as a constructive critique.
The DDA staffs concerns are based on the following:
1. The DDA has been a strong advocate of infill projects that maximize the use of parcels in the central business
district for structures and urban site amenities rather than surface parking. Convenience retail stores are
traditionally vehicle -focused and supported by short-term, onsite surface parking. This proposed design dedicates
approximately two-thirds of the site to surface parking and drive lanes.
2. The typology of this proposed design has an orientation that is suburban in character and therefore misses the
opportunity for engaging its urban context at a high profile, downtown corner lot. The materials proposed for the
facades are similar to the high quality brick masonry finishes on other buildings in the downtown area, however,
the typology of the building architecture through its orientation to the street is dissimilar. The proposed building
orients internally to the north and focuses inward toward the on -site parking lot, thus marginalizing the potential
for greater interaction with the urban street frontage of College Avenue. It also appears that the proposed building
orientation focuses the "back of house" function of the retail building toward Magnolia Street, thereby missing
another opportunity for engaging its urban context along its longest street frontage.
3. The Downtown Fort Collins real estate market has clearly demonstrated the economic viability of multi -story
commercial buildings characterized by ground floor retail and upper floor commercial office or residential uses.
This proposed one-story infill structure underutilizes this downtown land for a single purpose use. Additionally,
the underutilization of this site is disguised by a building design exhibiting a "faux" second floor, which is
typologically and stylistically contrary to the urban design goals of the central business district.
19 Old Town Square, Suite 230 1 Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 1 tel 970-484.2020 1 fax 970-484-2069 1 DowntownFortCollins.org