Real Estate: Architects warming up to Greeley Ice Center project

GREELEY — Cool runnings in downtown Greeley.

Up to 50 architectural design firms from across the United States and Canada have inquired about taking on the new Greeley Ice Center project.

The city put out a request for “statements of qualifications” from design firms at the end of June. By July 15, the city had received 74 different requests for information on the project.

“My guess is we’ve got 40 to 50 lead design firms,´ said Quentin Rockwell of Ragland Project Management, which the city has hired to oversee a portion of the capital projects approved by voters in the November 2002 election.

“Being that it’s such a specialized project, there are people from all around the continent who believe they are capable of working on this project,” Rockwell said.

The $10 million project, which includes about $6.1 million in construction costs, has been pegged for the northeast corner of Eighth Avenue and 10th Street — a 3.5-acre parking lot owned by the city.

What remains to be determined is the orientation of the building, which will cover roughly 75,000 square feet, said Roy Otto, Greeley’s assistant city manager.

“The orientation is what the architect will help with,” Otto said.

Architects that make Greeley’s short list will be in town for interviews the week of Aug. 11, with selection to come shortly thereafter. Design work is expected to start in October; selection of general contractor is scheduled for the beginning of 2004 and construction should start by next summer, Otto said.

Demands placed on the architect will go well beyond fitting two sheets of ice in a recreation building.

Downtown interests, including the Greeley Downtown Development Authority, have their own ideas about how the project should fit into the existing architectural scheme in the central business districts. Other variables include the types of amenities that should be inside the building.

Fort Collins DDA finances project

FORT COLLINS — The Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority recently approved $200,000 in tax-increment financing to support redevelopment of the CV Axle Building, 230 Cherry St.

The DDA’s nod paves the way for the nonprofit National Association for Interpretation to relocate its headquarters from cramped offices on Howes Street.

“We need 5,800 square feet to function adequately,´ said Tim Merriman, executive director of the NAI, which provides training worldwide for parks employees in the art of environmental and historical interpretation. “Now we’re functioning in 1,100 square feet.”

The CV Axle Building, once an auto-repair shop, encompasses 8,300 square feet. NAI expects to invest about $900,000 into remodeling the building, which is located across the street from the proposed Mason Street North project.

The 15-year-old agency, which has eight full-time employees and numerous part-timers, was close to leaving Fort Collins before winning DDA support, Merriman said. Based on demand for services, he expects his staff to grow to about 25 full-time equivalent positions in “two to five years.”

In the larger building, NAI can begin to bring its training clients into Fort Collins, rather than traveling across the country and the world to deliver training.

“Recently, we’ve gone after a grant to bring 18 Tibetan people here to Fort Collins for training,’ Merriman said. “For these kinds of international program grants in the past, we’ve gone to the site.”

Downtown Fort Collins, with its own emphasis on historical preservation, is an ideal match for NAI.

“That’s what we teach worldwide,” Merriman said. “When you create a sense of place, it has a tourism value. That’s kind of an economic value. If you can get a better sense of place and a better visitor experience, people are more likely to stay longer and make return visits.”

Investors steering clear of I-25 site

FORT COLLINS — The 25-acre parcel near the southwest corner of Interstate 25 and East Prospect Road would seem to be prime ground.

High traffic count. Interstate visibility. Next door to a Colorado Welcome Center.

Still, the city of Fort Collins hasn’t had any luck finding a buyer.

The city put the land — once part of its resource recovery farm — up for bid in May with a deadline of Aug. 29.

As of mid July, the city has had no offers, said City Manager John Fischbach.

The city’s asking for at least $2 million, which appears to be a fair price for a commercially zoned interchange site on I-25.

If there’s no bid?

“We’ll hold on to it, and we’ll continue to meet with all the property owners around the interchange,” Fischbach said. “We’ve talked about how to improve that interchange. As a land owner, we have an obligation to meet with them.”

Robert Baun can be reached at (970) 221-5400, (970) 356-1683 or via e-mail at bbaun@ncbr.com. His fax number is (970) 221-5432.

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