HomeMy WebLinkAboutVIALE COLLEGIO - PDP - 1-02 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - PLANNING OBJECTIVESViale Collegio
Project Summary
Page 2
(Planning Objectives Continued)
Retail/cafe space available is approximately 4700 SF. Net leaseable office space of
12,500 SF is arranged around an open-air two-story atrium, which brings light into the
interior of the space. Twenty residential flats/efficiencies are targeted toward students and
young working singles, and are grouped around the atrium, as well as having their own
private exterior decks. Thirty three parking spaces are located under the building and
screened from College Ave. view. These spaces will serve the residents during off peak
office and retail times, and will supplement the bicycle parking plaza.
This being a redevelopment of existing buildings, it is consistent with City Plan goals of
rehabilitating blighted or substandard facilities. The Poudre Fire Authority strongly
supports the removal of the existing buildings. Additional lower income bracket
residential units targeted toward students is a goal answered by this project. The design
concept of marketing to students without vehicles, made possible by the site adjacency to
CSU, will not adversely impact the transportation system. Additionally, the projected
office and retail uses will not adversely affect the transportation system, creating less than
a one -second impact, as determined by the Traffic Impact Study performed by LSC
Transportation Consultants. The improvements to the streetscape by this proposal will be
substantial, and should be a welcome addition to the College Avenue experience, both
pedestrian and vehicular.
Due to the age of the existing buildings, it is suspected that asbestos removal will be
required during the demolition process. This will be evaluated and accommodated prior
to demolition by a licensed hazardous removal company.
TL%MG
The residential portion of the project is market targeted for college students and
young working singles. Therefore, the projected completion date is mid -summer 2002, in
time for the start of university classes. Construction financing is being completed at the
present time, and construction can begin upon City approval and building permit
issuance. Preleasing of the retail and office spaces will begin approximately three or four
months prior to completion.
MALE COLL.M1 J
Planning Objectives
ADDRESS: 706 S. College Ave.
Ft. Collins, CO
OWNER: Venturepro, LLP ARCHITECT: Hilhouse Architects, Inc.
Robin and Christian Bachelet Jim Hillhouse
706 S. College Ave. 8897 Gander Valley Ln.
Ft. Collins, CO 80525 Windsor, CO 80550
Ph: 970-224-9204 Ph: 970-686-0505
EXISTING SITE
The proposed project is located at 706 S. College Avenue, across the street from
the University campus, between Laurel and Plum Streets, just 3 blocks south of Old
Town. It is the site of the present Poudre Property Services office, which is located in a
former bank building. Zoning is Community Commercial. The site consists of the S 1/2
of Lot 3 and all of Lot 4, Block 127, City of Ft. Collins, and is 21,000 SF. Existing on -
site buildings are in a bad state of repair and consist of the aforementioned former 1,800
SF bank (with drive thru canopy), an older 4,000 SF office building (also occupied by
Poudre Property Services) and a 3,600 SF two story frame house presently used as
student rentals. The property faces College Ave. on the west, and has a paved alley access
to the east. Adjacent one and two story buildings to the north and south are located on
the property lines. Drainage is by surface runoff to the paved alley, with virtually the
entire site being impervious. Utilities are located both in the alley and in College Ave.
DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT
This project proposes the replacement of the three older buildings, two of which
are in a bad state of repair, with an urban mixed -use facility. The architectural character
is reminiscent of a side street bistro/cafe in France or Italy, incorporating the streetscape
into the project by way of a new plaza style sidewalk under the mature trees for a
sidewalk cafe. The streetscape is enhanced by the addition of a fountain plaza, which
doubles as a bicycle parking area, encouraging the residents to utilize this type of
alternative transportation. The building massing is sensitive to both the human scale, by
stepping the upper levels back from the street, and proper urban design massing by
pyramiding with the one and two story adjacent buildings.
The upper levels of the building will cover the ground/street level of retail space
and parking spaces. Street level retail/cafe space screens the parking from College Ave.
pedestrians and drivers. Stepped back from the street on the upper level is an open air
rooftop garden for the use of the residential tenants of the topmost levels.