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Olde Town Revitalization

Olde Town Revitalization

MISSION OLDE TOWN

Arrival SequenceOlde Town represents the historical central business district of Fountain. As with many national cities, the historical center of activity had experienced a loss of its patrons due to suburban sprawl.

In recent decade(s), the city has continued to experience double-digit growth.  As such, a Town Center revival has emerged as new neighborhood community residents seek to embrace its legacy cultural roots; availing a quality sense of place within Olde Town. This is evident as recent as of 2020, when the city garnered over 190+ positive public feedback surveys in the Ohio Avenue Placemaking Campaign. 

O.T. District The city’s partnership efforts with County, Urban Renewal, and property owners has availed a transformation awareness of the district’s potential.  As realized through a revitalization of under-performing assets, an urban view on open space, community placemaking, and public safety mobility infrastructure improvements.  These district investments are attracting new private development interests and a myriad of new/eclectic business seeking to provide services within the historic district, known as Olde Town.


To learn more about our Town Center revival activity, see publications: 

Olde Town Activity Snapshot editions 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018

Olde Town/ Gateway Projects and Policies timeline 2014-present

To learn about Olde Town district boundary, zoning, and economic programs, please visit GIS map application.  

Click here to view the Housing Development map (effective 2021).


MASTER PLANS UPDATE

Ohio Avenue Placemaking Campaign

In 2020 a leadership team was formulated with FURA chairman serving as champion of the program. The Team represented a diverse mix of partners to steward a community outreach effort (during COVID times) which embodied the Ohio Avenue Placemaking Campaign. Over the course of a compressed five months, the Campaign garnered over 190+ positive public feedback surveys and resulted in identification of Short Term Wins and Long Term Mission for the district’s Ohio Avenue corridor. 

The Campaign culminated during the week of October 19-23 with nightly musician performances held at the Lawn of City Hall for free community “socially-distancing” enjoyment under an inaugural hosting of the city’s #ARTSmonth Awareness program. 

On 5.11.21, City Council received a report out on the Campaign's deliverables, quantified public feedback, and outlined next step alternatives of Placemaking 2.1 for the corridor.  Click here to view the City Council presentation. 

The Campaign received its resource(s) funding via a State of CO grant awarded in late 2019 via the Rural Technical Assistance Program‘s Community Placemaking category. 
PM Intro 1 PM Vision 2
  PM Public Feedback 3
 Intro Vision Public Feedback


Town Design and Aesthetics Guidelines

The US 85 urban renewal area districts, known as Olde Town and Gateway, provide an extremely important first impression for the City. Redeveloping, revitalizing and creating design standards for these districts facilitate an environment for future investment, development and growth while maintaining the small town, unique atmosphere that the City of Fountain embodies. 

THK Focus GroupIn 2020, City Council adopted the Design+Aesthetics Incentive Program as a tool specifically designed spur private capital investment within Olde Town.  This program was a spin off deliverable of the overall  Town Design Guidelines and Interstate Gateway project which  was initially funded through the Fountain Urban Renewal Authority in 2018.  To learn more, please visit FURA’s site page online at http://www.furaco.org/district-design-aesthetics.html 

Also, a revised  Zoning Ordinance, Signage Code, and Olde Town Overlay District were adopted by City Council over the course of 2019-2020.  To learn more, please visit city Planning department. 


Olde Town Revitalization 

This 2014 master plan initiative really set the expectations of the district vision and identified a punch list of focus areas to pair projects, guide resources and identify funding programs. The plan identified areas such as: infrastructure, Main Street, monument gateways, banner programs, downtown beautification, way finding signage, and partnership engagement.  Click here to learn more. 

To learn how to become involved with district revitalization, please visit the Olde Town Steering Committee section of the website. 

US85 Urban Renewal Progress

Main StreetOlde Town is located as a subset area with the US85 Urban Renewal Area. Several initiatives have taken root through the collaboration of City Council, Fountain Urban Renewal Authority, the OTSC and the public at large.

- 2021 FURA begins public safety improvements, renovation, and revitalization mission  of its 1905 Woodman Hall property

- 2020 City Council adopts the Design Aesthetics Incentive Program to aid in small business fulfillment and private capital investment in the district

- 2019/ 2020 OEDIT Awards grant funding for the Community's Olde Town Placemaking initiative; over 190+ public survey respondents to the Ohio Avenue Placemaking Campaign

-2019 Peaks N Pines Brewing Company opens within FURA's 212 W Illinois property; 1st commercial entry in the district in 25+ years representing over $1M in land/building improvements 

 - 2017/ 2018 marked the Town Design and Gateway Interstate Aesthetics project with THK Consultants. 

 - 2014 marked the adoption of the Olde Town Revitalization Plan 

 - 2009 marked the adoption of the Gateway Master Plan

Click here to learn more about these plans, projects, mission, and stewardess of the Fountain Urban Renewal Authority (FURA) on behalf of Olde Town.

Olde Town Steering Committee


The Olde Town Steering Committee (OTSC) wasCommittee Meeting formed through the efforts and adoption of the 2014 Olde Town Revitalization Plan.

The purpose of the committee is to represent the businesses, property owners, and residents of the Olde Town district to work on behalf of advocacy in the areas of economic vitality and public improvements.

In 2020, the first Olde Town District Ambassador role was established by the committee.  Teresa Vieira, owner of Peaks N Pines Brewing Company was designated for her passion and commitment to Fountain and the greater Valley community.

To learn more about current initiatives and how to participate, please visit Olde Town Steering Committee section of the city's website or contact Economic Development for assistance.