Update: This story has been updated to reflect that CSU is looking at the sale or long-term lease of the property and is seeking public feedback at a meeting from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 18 at Drake Centre, 802 W. Drake Rd., Fort Collins.

Before any developer can decide to move forward on plans for the site of CSU's Hughes Stadium, the former football stadium will need to be demolished.

On Thursday, the Colorado State University System Board of Governors unanimously approved the demolition or deconstruction of the venue off Overland Trail in west Fort Collins.

The nine- to 14-month process could cost $4 million to $6 million, according to Executive Vice Chancellor Amy Parsons. Part of the cost will depend on efforts to deal with hazardous materials such as asbestos. The plan is to recoup the cost to demolish the building through the sale or long-term lease of the property.

"This deconstruction is not only important for the disposition of the property and our process but also because we are paying minimum maintenance and utilities on the property to prevent it from becoming a nuisance and keep it in a safe condition," Parsons said.

Board member Dean Singleton joked about whether they could just set fire to the building instead.

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ICON Venue Group, CSU's consultant in assisting with future development and valuations for the site, told university officials that potential developers are more interested in the property if CSU takes on the demolition and associated risks, separating it from the development process.

The university is also working on annexing the property into city limits, something Parsons said both the city of Fort Collins and Larimer County are interested in doing.

It's another aspect of the property potential developers are interested in seeing happen, she said, and both annexation and demolition can occur in conjunction with starting the bidding process.

Parsons said she feels the university has done a good job on outreach efforts, listening last month to about 200 neighbors' concerns about potential uses for the property.

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Another session, scheduled for 6- 8 p.m.Oct .18 at Drake Centre, 802 W. Drake Rd., aims to get opinions not just from neighbors but from a more broad group about the venue and future plans.

"These sessions and our outreach efforts are designed to help us and to help future developers understand community priorities," Parsons said.

Some of the concerns raised during the first listening session surrounded density, increased traffic on roads that aren't suited for it and buildings that will block the view of Horsetooth Open Space. Some advocated for at least part of the property to be used as open space.

Parsons said the Board of Governors will ultimately decide what to do with the property when it comes time to sell it, and the goal is to enter into negotiations in the spring and a contract in the summer.

For now, the university is preparing to start the bidding process in the last quarter of the year and is working with an advisory committee to rank potential proposals, ideally selecting five, and working on the annexation process.

After a developer takes on the project, Parsons said the developer will be responsible for outreach efforts with the community.

"We're purposely taking our time ... with this process and give proposers enough time to get thoughtful information to us and vice versa," she said.

Board member Kim Jordan asked about any plans for sustainable deconstruction of the venue, which she acknowledged would probably cost more but is something she's been asked about numerous times.

Parsons said that's something the university facilities team plans to keep in mind during the process and as the university goes out to market.

Reporter Saja Hindi covers public safety and local politics. You can follow her on Twitter @BySajaHindi or email her at shindi@coloradoan.com.

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