The story of the 700 block of S. Public, part two

Where are we now?

Here's part one

From our recently updated comprehensive plan.

“The Vision for the Old Town Mixed Use category is to preserve the eclectic, funky, and small-town nature of the Old Town commercial areas (along Public Road, East Simpson Street, and along Baseline Road). The vision assumes that new developments or businesses in the area should fit in with the existing fabric of the district.”

• Adaptive reuse of existing buildings should be prioritized over new construction and new development in the Old Town area.

• Encourage the integration of additional gathering areas, such
  as plazas and pocket parks, along Public Road, East Simpson Street, and elsewhere in Old Town, as part of new projects.

• Preserve properties of historical significance (both residential and commercial).

• Buildings located adjacent to landmarked properties that are smaller in scale should "step down" in height towards landmark properties.

• New buildings within Old Town should fit, from an aesthetic perspective, with the existing building stock in the surrounding area.

• New projects in the Old Town area should explore architecture and design that celebrates the eclectic, diverse, organic, and funky nature in this part of Lafayette.

SO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 700 BLOCK?

The plan for a block-long development went away. (Happy dance opportunity here)

Let’s walk down the block and check in with each property.

711 and 709

Owners of Deluxe Liquor, the Mangat family, purchased 711 and 709, yes the mayor’s family.

Rocky Mountain Legal Center, a non-profit gem on Public Rd since 2010, was leasing the blue building (705) from the Morrells. The owner, Mike Anderson tried to put together financing to buy the lot and the building but wasn’t able to do it. He entered into a 10-year lease with Tej Mangat of Deluxe Liquors for 711 the previous location of Coal Creek Barbers. However, the interior of the building needed extensive repairs as did the roof.

Mike submitted a financial assistance request to LURA for $53,600 for roof rehabilitation, a new ADA bathroom, mold remediation, and an electric vehicle charger. Executive Director Keating recommended a grant not to exceed $75,000 and LURA approved it. Rocky Mountain Legal contributed $7800 to the project. There may be future façade and site access improvements too.

707

707 was purchased by the folks who own Daily Grains and plan to have a brick-and-mortar location. There are plans to demolish the existing building and construct a replacement.

These plans for 707 are on the city development page.

705

705 has also been purchased but beyond that plans seem to be up in the air. Built in 1908, according to Gerry Morrell it was moved to that location from one of the local mines. It is eligible for Lafayette, State, and National Registers of Historic Places for its quintessential hipped roof architectural style.

701

And finally 701. I hope what I have to share will meet with your approval (and perhaps another happy dance) because I have a story to tell that takes us back to where I began.

Owned by LURA it was put on the market earlier this year. Some of us political hobbyists have advocated that it be turned into a public space for a while now. But no one listened. Park? Meh seemed to be the response. But a regular park with swings was never the idea. So Grant, Seth, Vicky, and I got together and created a vision for it, and in May we pitched our idea to City Administrator Doelling and Director Keating. There was interest. Then things started rolling.

June 11 we headed to LURA to present the same vision during public input.

June 18 council had an executive session about the property.

July 9 LURA had an executive session followed by a public discussion when they agreed to sell the property to the city.

August 13 LURA voted to approve an agreement to sell the property to the city for $1.00. Yes, a buck.

August 21 the council voted yes on the purchase and sale agreement for 701 S. Public Rd.

Sadly the house won’t be saved, the cost to make it usable is an issue. But we have been told that the building materials which are quite rare, will be saved and we hope they can be creatively integrated into the new design.

Here’s what we pitched.

Our vision for the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority property at 701 S. Public Road

A gathering place that reflects and showcases Lafayette’s community values with a built-in educational component

This is the best opportunity to create a much-needed, unique public gathering place on the southern end of Public Road that has become available since the 2019 update of the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Plan. The city partnering with LURA would result in lower than normal acquisition costs and could offset construction costs if a monetary contribution was included.

Adding this property to the city’s parks portfolio also echoes all four of the Comprehensive Plan’s frameworks.

CONNECTED COMMUNITY

Creates a southern bookend to the Collective with Festival Plaza in the center.
Provides an interesting magnet to draw people through the dead zones along Public Road.

Provides a green space to residents from the surrounding area. The Trust for Public Land ParkScore shows this area has a park equity gap. https://www.tpl.org/parkscore.

COMMUNITY CHARACTER

Responds to the city’s public surveys, including the LURA survey for this property, calling for more downtown green spaces.

Offers the ability to hop, skip, and jump down Public to city properties with a unique focus at each location: arts at the Collective, family activities at Festival Plaza, and a compilation of the community’s values at the southern end.

Provides opportunities for adaptive reuse and historic preservation for the building, including education in building restoration, reuse of materials and the circular economy.

STRONG ECONOMY

Boosts the businesses at the southern end of downtown and gives visitors another reason to stay.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Showcases sustainable features—solar power or other alternative energy solutions provide educational opportunities to encourage utilization in the home and garden.

Emphasizes xeriscape plantings—provides educational opportunities to illustrate and encourage waterwise gardening.

Highlights pollinator plantings—provides an educational opportunity about the value of pollinators and reflects the pollinator district designation in the works for Lafayette.

Offers recycling/circular economy/creativity opportunities—art pieces, benches or chairs designed by local artists using recycled materials combine the creative aspect of downtown with other community values.

Creates a potential for grant opportunities.

LURA’S PLANS FOR THE STREETSCAPE OF THE 700 AND 800 BLOCK

During the February 2024 meeting there was a conceptual streetscape improvements presentation.

Here’s a list I made of some of the possible ideas and improvements that were presented.

• Preserve and enhance the community's character

• Add electrical outlets to allow for holiday lights on trees

• Remove or shorten curb cuts to improve the pedestrian experience, with vehicular access from the alley and parking in the rear

• Add locations for sculptures

• Improve the RTD stop

• Add bike racks

• Add trash and recycling receptacles

• Add boulder seating and/or creative benches

• Create areas for landscaping using native plants with educational signage
  

Want to offer more support? Awesome!