CSU, city working on stadium transportation costs

CSU is prepared to spend an estimated $4.85 million to $8.35 million to cover the cost of "immediate" multimodal transportation needs related to its on-campus stadium.

Anticipated improvements include turn lanes on intersections expected to be heavily impacted by game-day traffic as well as enhanced crossing facilities for bicycles and pedestrians at key locations, including Prospect Road at Centre Avenue.

Future potential projects include an overpass on Shields Street for pedestrians and bikes, and improvements along the Prospect Road corridor to ease the flow of people going to and from the stadium, according to a document prepared for City Council members.

The council on Tuesday is scheduled to receive an update on the status of negotiations between city and Colorado State University officials on an intergovernmental agreement spelling out how the stadium's community impacts would be addressed.

The range in potential multimodal transportation costs for CSU is wide because engineering and construction requirements for some projects are not yet known, said Karen Cumbo, director of planning, development and transportation for the city.

Negotiations are ongoing, with the goal of having a draft agreement ready for public review early next week, Cumbo said. The city's planning and zoning board is scheduled to review the document March 6.

The City Council is scheduled to consider adoption of the agreement during its March 17 meeting.

"There is a lot of language going back and forth and we have agreed in principle on a lot of things," Cumbo said. " … I'm very optimistic: It's been a very positive negotiation with everybody doing their best to bring this to a good conclusion."

CSU officials have earmarked $30 million in the $220 million budget for the stadium to mitigate its community impacts. Expenses are expected to include the installation of utility lines, signs and other way-finding tools, and improvements to the city's traffic signal system.

The 36,000-seat stadium would be located just north of Prospect Road between Pitkin and Lake streets on the west side of a reconfigured Whitcomb Street. CSU's governing board early this month approved the university's plan to issue $220 million in bonds to fund the project, which is expected to be ready for the 2017 football season.

Most of the immediate projects are expected to be done in time for the stadium's opening day. But others currently are considered "future" projects that are not likely to be ready because of their complexity. A grade-separated crossing at Shields and Elizabeth streets might not be feasible, Cumbo said.

Locating and enhancing pedestrian and bicycle crossings depends on the location of parking areas, Cumbo said.

CSU plans to build a parking structure north of a medical center proposed at the northwest corner of Prospect Road and College Avenue. The structure would have at least 400 spaces, according to the city.

A new surface lot with about 1,100 spaces is planned off Centre Avenue south of Prospect Road and the stadium.

Enhanced crossings are planned along Laurel Street, as well as Pitkin Street and College Avenue, and Shields Street.

The Pitkin Street crossings would be funded in part with a federal grant aimed at assisting in the development of a "low-stress network" of bike routes around the city. CSU partnered with the city in applying for the $593,000 grant.

City staff on Tuesday will be asking council members for feedback and direction in addition to updating them on the status of negotiations on the intergovernmental agreement, said Deputy City Manager Jeff Mihelich.

In addition to infrastructure and utility improvements, CSU and city representatives have already reached agreement in several areas, including the formation of a stadium advisory group and establishing a "good neighbor fund" to address neighborhood issues related to the stadium.

The negotiations are expected to wrap up on schedule, Mihelich said.

"It's safe to say we have no major areas of disagreement," he said.

Kevin Duggan is a Coloradoan senior reporter covering local government. Follow him on Twitter, @coloradoan_dugg.

What's next

Key dates as Fort Collins and CSU officials work out the details of an intergovernmental agreement on how to address community impacts of the on-campus stadium:

• Tuesday: City Council will receive an update on the status of the agreement during a work session beginning at 6 p.m. at city hall, 300 Laporte Ave. No public comment will be taken. The meeting will be broadcast on city cable Channel 14.

• March 6: Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Board work session, 2:30 p.m., city hall. No public comment will be taken; watch live on Channel 14.

• March 11: Open house on the agreement, 5 to 7 p.m., Drake Centre, 802 W. Drake Road. Comments from the public will be taken.

• March 17: City Council meeting on possible adoption of the agreement, 6 p.m., city hall. Public comment accepted; watch live on Channel 14.