| 19 Old Town Square Suite 230 Fort Collins, CO 80524 |
970-484-2020 |
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What's Happening Right Now? Construction begins on Old Firehouse Alley and Montezuma Fuller Alley Monday, June 21, 2010. The project will be completed by the end of October 2010. The alleys will be completely fenced and closed to traffic during construction. First, the existing surface of the alleys will be removed. Extensive utility relocations will occur during the month of July and then the new storm sewer will be installed in Montezuma Fuller. In August, work begins on the intersections with the streets where the pavers extend out from the alleys. Once irrigation lines are laid, we’ll be doing earthwork and grading on the interiors of the alleys in preparation for laying the pavers in September and October. Finally in October, all the lights and planters will be placed and we’ll dust everything off for a grand opening. Our goal in this project is to enhance the alleys aesthetically and to stimulate increased economic vitality and use of these spaces. The alleys will feature pavers, pedestrian-scaled lights and tivoli (string) lights at entrances, planters in pots, high-quality street furniture and improved drainage where possible. Each alley will have public art work incorporated into the design. This summer we are also working with property owners to form trash co-operatives for the permanent consolidated trash enclosures that will be built. We will be posting a weekly report of our progress on each alley here if you want to keep tabs on the project. Thanks for your interest in the alley enhancement project. Anne Aspen, Project Manager 970-419.4383 aaspen@fcgov.com
Russell+Mills Studios is currently developing the designs for this year's alleys. The 2009-2010 alleys include the Montezuma Fuller Alley (bounded by Mountain, Remington, Oak and Olive Streets), the Old Firehouse Alley (bounded by Jefferson, Linden, Walnut and Pine Streets) and the Alley Cat Alley (bounded by Myrtle, College, Laurel and Mason Streets). To see schematic drawings, scroll down to the Downloads section. For this project, our goal is to enhance the alleys aesthetically and to stimulate increased economic vitality and use of these spaces. The alleys will feature pavers, pedestrian-scaled lights and tivoli (string) lights at entrances, planters in pots, high-quality street furniture and improved drainage where possible. Each alley will have public art work incorporated into the design. We are also working with property owners to form trash co-operatives and create permanent consolidated trash enclosures. Russell+Mills Studios will create construction documents in fall of 2009. By year end, we will put the alley projects out to bid. The primary goal of the construction schedule is to minimize negative impacts to businesses. Therefore, the downtown alleys (Old Firehouse and Montezuma Fuller Alleys) will be constructed between Jan 2nd, 2010 and May graduation, 2010 when downtown events start; and the university-oriented alley (W. Laurel to W. Myrtle) will be constructed between May graduation, 2010 and the beginning of school year in fall 2010. Frequently Asked Questions
In 2008 the DDA engaged local design firm Russell+Mills Studios to create a master plan of the alleys between CSU, downtown and the River District. Once the existing alleys were surveyed, Russell+Mills Studios produced a master plan showing a vision for what the alleys could potentially become with both public and private investments. The master planning process included a concept workshop with downtown building owners and business community, two open houses, and input opportunities with several City boards and commissions. The master plan process culminated with a walk-through of each of the alleys with interested community members and leaders who ranked the alleys based upon their opportunities for improvement and the challenges associated with making the improvements. This scorecard was used to inform the DDA about which alleys to improve and in what order. The master plan is available to view or download to your right. Pilot Project In 2004, the City's Downtown Strategic Plan identified the alleys in the downtown area as an untapped opportunity for enhanced pedestrian connections. A couple of years later, UniverCity Connections reinforced this notion and suggested the alley network between CSU and Downtown could establish a unique physical link between CSU, Old Town Square and the River District. In 2006, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) initiated a pilot project which included improving the pedestrian-only Trimble Court (connecting College and Old Town Square) and Tenney Court (connecting Mountain with the Civic Center Parking Structure). Our goal in initiating this project was to enhance the alleys aesthetically and to stimulate increased economic vitality and use of these spaces. In addition to the quote in the sidebar, another sign that the pilots were successful is the level to which private property owners have improved their property to integrate with and open to the improved alleys. For example, shortly after the completion of the alley improvement, the Clothes Pony and Dandelion Toy store at 111 N. College created an alley entrance with windows, a portico, tile work and artwork. Anne Aspen, Project Manager 970-419.4383 aaspen@fcgov.com |
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