New Project: Rocky Mountain Innovation Initiative

On Wednesday ground was officially broke for the home of the Rocky Mountain Innovation Initiative, also known as RMI2. Formerly the Fort Collins Technology Incubator, RMI2 helps new clean energy, technology and scientific startup companies turn their great ideas into great businesses. These businesses, in turn, create high wage job opportunities for the community and fuel the growth of the industries of the future.

The LEED gold certified building will contain over 32,000-square-feet of office and wet lab space on three floors. The site is on East Vine Drive directly south of the Old Town North new urbanist community. Wednesday’s groundbreaking also brought some surprise good news. Wirsol Solar announced it will expand its American operations by building its own headquarters in Fort Collins. The company plans a 22,000 square foot office building to be located right next door the future RMI2 building that will eventually house up to 100 employees. Construction on Wirsol’s new HQ is planned for early next year.

The construction site:


And a rendering of the new RMI2 building:

Construction Update: The Flats at the Oval

The Flats at the Oval is a four-story mixed-use student housing project that will include ground-floor retail and 40 residential units with 108 beds. Since my last post about the project much has changed. Framing for the new structure was finished in about December and the exterior finishes are going up fast. The project anticipates a summer/fall completion date. Just in time for the new school year.

A photo from late December:


A photo from this past week showing the beautiful brick work and detailing:

Welcome to Grow Fort Collins... Again

After a very long and busy winter break, Grow Fort Collins is back. Lots of good happened while I was Away. Downtown Fort Collins is lucky to have maintained a steady amount of development in an economic climate like this one when many cities have laid dormant. Over the next few days I will be updating you on all that has happened during my leave of absence. You can look forward to plenty of news and event info, construction updates, new project announcements, and pretty pretty pictures. 2010 promises to be an exciting year for downtown Fort Collins. So check back often and spread the word about Grow Fort Collins.

Poudre Valley Bank facade Revealed

Earlier this fall the facade of the historic Poudre Valley National Bank building at the south west corner of College and Mountain Avenues was revealed when the sign of the former tenant City Drug was removed. City Drug the city's oldest business still in operation moved to the 200 block of north College after several decades in business at this location. City Drug can trace there origins all the way back to 1873. The departure of City Drug and the Bohemian Foundation from this buildings paves the way for a much need historical restoration. Restoration work will commence when a new tenant is found. As usual a restaurant will most likely occupy this historic art deco styled landmark.

The former City Drug sign:


The newly revealed historic facade:




The buildings interior:

A rendering showing what the renovated building will look like:

Fall Construction Update

On Thursday I made my monthly trip to Poudre Pet & Feed Supply and decided to update you guys on some construction and remodel projects going on downtown. Here’s are some photos of the progress:

Odell Brewing Company’s expansion is in full swing and moving at a very fast pace:


The Bohemian Foundation’s new HQ looks great from the street:


The detail is great and the new plaza at the building’s base is shaping up nicely:


Work on the rear side of the former First Community Bank’s exterior is wrapping up. The buildings owner plans a similar remodel to the Drunken Monkey’s ugly and date exterior.


And finally The Cupboard is going threw a great remodel that will update its dated College Avenue facing façade. The new façade will blend much better with the historic nature of downtown and the updated buildings surrounding it.

Colorado State Parking Garage

If you have driven down west Prospect Road lately than I’m sure you have seen the construction of Colorado State University’s New Parking Garage. The garage is located at the corner of Prospect and Center Avenue, directly across from the Fort Collins Hilton. The project features 900 parking stalls on four levels with 25,000 sq ft of ground floor retail space. The project helps meet several of the university’s goals by increasing parking on campus, building over a former surface parking lot, preserving valuable green space and increasing the amount of retail space on campus. A 9,000 square foot solar panel array will also be incorporated on the roof of the garage. The budget for the new ramp is over $21 million and completion is expected in the Fall of 2010.

The Renderings:






The Construction:

New Project: The Flats at the Oval

The Flats at the Oval is a higher end student housing project located directly across from Colorado State University at the south east corner of Howes and Laurel Streets. The project consist of a four story building with 4,600 sq ft of retail space and 108 beds in 48 residential units. The modern student housing project takes the place an infamous frat house that lost its charter after numerous underage drinking violations. The cost of the project is $7 million and is expected to open in time for the 2010 school year.

The Former Frat House:


The Renderings:




The Construction: