2022 ENR Mountain States Best Projects
Best Project, Renovation/Restoration: Fort Collins Alley Renovations
Photo by Kelsey Madsen/Ditesco
Fort Collins Alley Renovations
Fort Collins, Colo.
BEST PROJECT
Submitted By: Ditesco
Owner: Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority
Lead Design Firm: Norris Design
General Contractor: J-2 Contracting
Project, Program & Construction Management: Ditesco
The renovations of Tenney Court North and West Oak Alley continue the city’s program to enhance the aesthetics and economic vitality of unique downtown Fort Collins spaces. The project converted congested, dirty and deteriorated alleys into key destination corridors that appeal to pedestrians, bikers and vehicles alike.
Enhancements include replacement of existing pavement with a concrete sub-slab topped with multicolored precast concrete pavers. Trash dumpsters were consolidated into enclosures located outside the alley’s right-of-way, thus increasing accessibility. A combination of light poles, LED wall pack lighting and cameras provide security throughout the alleyway with attention to typically dark and inconspicuous locations.
In addition to irrigated hanging baskets and planter pots, landscaped islands are strategically located to clearly delineate spaces. These and other improvements help to calm traffic and increase safety for bike riders and pedestrians.
While improvements preserve back-of-house operations for property owners (i.e., employee access, parking and deliveries), they also have spurred complementary, privately funded upgrades such as additional patio spaces, facade improvements and opportunities for business expansion.
Due to their historic nature, the alleys revealed a host of unexpected challenges once excavation for drainage improvements got underway, including shallow, abandoned and unidentified utilities and buried building foundations.
