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Home My WebLink AboutDOWNTOWN HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER - MODIFICATION OF STANDARD - 06-08 - MEDIA - CORRESPONDENCE-NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGStarbucks at 172 N. College Ave. to stay warm during her son's jujitsu class, but that plan was thwarted with the closure, the "art of espresso," Starbucks Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Schultz said7besday. "I was disappointed," Reisfeld pointment. For David Kam of Lexington, Ky., the store's closing would have been easier to take if it was can't see that they're closed when I have to drive 20 minutes to find a place to park nearby," he said. "It's only for one day," said Eric Greenfeder, a daily customer. "It's not even a mild inconven- ience" iJ e Of J ,low 100, F-_. Hm.. Al Dunton voices his concerns Tuesday at a neighborhood meeting at 215 N. Mason St. over possible parking problems as a result of the projected construction of a downtown hotel and convention center. Proposed hotel creates parking, congestion fears Company says underground parking will help BY PAT FERRIER PatFerrier®coloradoan.com Parking in Old Town, already a challenge most days, was the chief concern for about 50 peo- ple who packed a city meeting room Tuesday to hear plans for a nine -story downtown hotel and conference center. Corporex, the Kentucky - based development company chosen by the Downtown Development Authority to build the project, said parking would improve with the hotel and underground parking slat- ed for the city -owned parking lot on Remington Street between Oak and Olive streets. Tuesday was the first time residents saw plans for the 150- room hotel and 40,000-square- foot conference center, consid- ered to be a major part of plans to revitalize Old Town. It has been the DDA's goal for more than two decades to have a downtown hotel and conference center; said DDA Director Clip Steiner. The neighborhood meeting was among the first steps toward getting the project through the city's approval process. Ellen Brinks, who lives on Oak Street just east of the proj ect, worried the 100400t-high hotel and conference center would add more congestion to OldTown and dwarf the smaller businesses on College Avenue. Kelly Davis, managing principal of Oz Architecture, explains the projected layout and design. "Why does everything have to be clumped together right here?" she asked, citing numer- ous festivals, road races and other activities that Old Town residents deal with. "The old storefronts on College are so beautiful; I feel like they might get swallowed up with this behemoth behind it," Brinks said. She suggested moving the project to North College Avenue, an area target- ed for redevelopment and only a few blocks fmm Oldlown. Steiner said high density is the point of building in Old Town. "We want people shopping in our stores and eating in our restaurants; Steiner said. They won't do that unless the hotel is in the heart of the city, even if it's only six blocks, he said. The hotel/conference center needs approval from the Planning and Zoning Board and City Council since it will be built on city -owned property. While several people praised the design that varies heights and incorporates courtyards and landscaping, Cindi Peck said the city was not looking far enough into the future. "Everyone is excited about this, and it is an asset, Peek said. But it doesn't account for park- ing that may be needed down the road. Norlarco merger expected to wrap up BY PAT FERRIER PatFerrier®coloradoan.com By the end of the clay Friday, Norlarco Credit Union is expect- ed to be part of Public Service Credit Union of Denver, officially ending seven months of finan- ,;,,l ...... n.rt,,..,... --A-l:A:.... union, was chosen by the National Credit Union Administration to take over Norlarco. The NCUA took over Norlarco at the request of state regulators after the credit union found itself ...,AAreA ..dal. ...m:,.__ ,.[ A..n.._. The Remington lot currently has 150 spaces; that will double with the hotel and conference center, Steiner said. While the project remains on course, the financing package has not been finalized, Steiner said - If and when it's complete, Steiner said the city and DDA will likely own the parking and convention center, while Corporex will own the hotel, residential and retail. Corporex and the DDA will ask the city's Planning and Zoning Board on March 20 for a variance from height restric- tions. The tune -story hotel is taller than city ordinances allow in that area. December 2006 as the number of bad loans started to mount. Public Service Credit Union, which began as a credit union for the old Public Service Co., has $622.9 million in total assets and 76,816 members. Heska records highest revenue in 20-year history BY PAT FERRIER PatFerrier®coloradoan.com LOVELAND — Heska Corp., developer of animal health and diagnostic products, recorded its highest revenue in the compa- ny's 20-year history last year, based hugely on the launch of three new products. Heska, which released its fourth-quarter and annual results Tlresday, reported $82.3 million in revenue, the third consecutive year of profitable growth. "It was a record year, and it took a lot of hand work to get there," said Jason Napolitano, Heska chief financial officer. Early last year, Heska fore- casted 2007 earnings of between $80 million and $85 million. Revenue from the company's core companion animal health products recorded 10 percent growth from the prior year. The company launched three major new products in 2007, including a new version of a hand-held clinical analyzer that allows veterinarians to get results from blood tests in seconds; a hematology analyzer, and Dri- Chem, a product made by Fujifilm that can perform 21 tests on a single blood sample, Napohtano said. Heska and Fujifilm teamed up in November on Dri-Chem 4000. FuliFilm has an exclusive agreement to supply Heska with DriChem 4000 and accompany- ing products in the North American market. "They were looking to diversi- fy their business and use the technology and skills they've developed on the film side and expand into health care," Napolitano said. Revenue from Heska's core companion animal health seg- ment grew 10 percent from $59.9 million in 2006 to $65.9 million last year. Vaccines, pharmaceuticals and other products generated rev- enue of $14.9 million, up 25 per- cent from 11.9 million the previ- ous year. Napolitano said solid growth in consumablcs, diagnostic equipment and pharmaceuticals all contributed to a "broad - growth profile" posted in 2007. Heska, founded in Fort Collins, went public in 1997 and moved to Loveland in 2005. It employs 310 workers. In trading Heska Corp. is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol HSKA Stocks finished the day Tuesday at $1.68 a share, down 12 cents. CENTENNIAL LEASING & SALES OF NORTHERN COLORADO "Your BEST automotive buying experience" Centennial Leasing and Sales is proud to '0 9 welcome JJ Vlahos to their Consulting a'r team. He has 14 years of experience and