Public gets say in interchange plan

By Dan MacArthur
Fossil Creek Current

Fort Collins and Windsor on March 8 will host an open house to solicit public opinion on plans for replacing the obsolete I-25/Highway 392 interchange.

The open house will be from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Poudre Valley REA building at Highway 392 and Fairgrounds Avenue (County Road 5) a half mile east of I-25.

The I-25/392 interchange has become increasingly dysfunctional with continuing growth in Windsor and southeast Fort Collins. The Colorado Department of Transportation has identified replacement of the interchange as a high-priority project, but no funds are available.

Consequently, the two municipalities in January 2006 agreed to cooperate in developing a plan for land-use and development of the area surrounding the interchange. That effort includes developing a design and alternative mechanisms for financing the interchange replacement.

Noting it's a gateway to both municipalities, Windsor planning director Joe Plummer said the interchange design and character of those future land uses must represent the communities' values.

Up to now, the study has focused on an examination of interchange designs, frontage road options and potential land use. Windsor and Fort Collins also have been meeting with adjoining property owners to explore funding options. Those discussions have focused on ensuring that improvement costs are borne equitably by property owners based on the benefit they will receive.

With the study half complete, the municipalities are sponsoring the open house to present the plan to the broader public and seek their comments.

For more information call Plummer at 686-7476, or Fort Collins Planning Director Joe Frank at 221-6752.