Our goal is to give and gain perspective while standing on the site itself, to listen, talk and discuss. Most importantly, we want people to join us and experience Fort Collins. And it works! There was great response to the inaugural 2007 tours, and the City received a Colorado Planning Association award for community engagement in 2008.

Join us this May (specific dates on fcgov.com/planvan):

From the Front Porch to the Stars: How Neighborhood Planning Has Evolved

Travel through time from 1873 to 2007! City Planner Clark Mapes will showcase the planning evolution of our neighborhoods; starting in Old Town, traveling through the decades and ending with the Stargazing Observatory.

You Look Marvelous: Fort Collins Design Winners

Join Urban Renewal Planner Christina Vincent as she highlights the winners of the biennial Urban Design Awards from the categories of architecture, urban fragment, civic improvement, green design and more.

From Housing to A Helping Hand: How Public Money Makes Fort Collins Better!

See how affordable housing is developed, who benefits, and the Citys role. The tour will showcase publicly-funded housing projects and will also stop at Respite Care, a vital service providing care for children with developmental disabilities.

Adding South College to the Mix: The South College Corridor Plan

Recently annexed, and a major travel corridor, the South College Corridor holds much interest for local residents, businesses and the greater community. Senior Planner Timothy Wilder will share key locations, issues, options and recommendations.

The Mountain Vista Subarea Plan: Preparation is the Key to Success

With 1,500 acres of vacant land, is the Mountain Vista area prepared for our citys growth? Senior Planner Pete Wray will take you along East Vine Drive, Timberline Road, and Mountain Vista Drive, to share the how and why behind this areas future development.

Fort Collins Was So Hip: Our Unique 1960s Neighborhoods

Fort Collins is home to the only 60s neighborhood on Colorados National Register. Take a trip with Preservation Planner Pam Opiela and revisit bomb shelters, space-age kitchen appliances and mid-century modernism super groovy!

Ghost Signs Haunt Old Town: A Downtown Walking Tour

Once brightly painted on the sides of buildings but now lost or fading away, ghost signs are tucked throughout Old Town. Enjoy a history lesson from Preservation Planner Karen McWilliams about these signs and what is being done to preserve them.

Call 221-6376 or visit fcgov.com/planvan for tour dates, to sign-up, or download a self-guided tour brochure.

FortZED

FortZED and the Northern Colorado Clean Energy Cluster are positioning Fort Collins to be a leader in clean energy development and job growth. FortZED is growing to be the worlds largest zero energy district. It is a vast public-private effort designed to be a scalable, replicable model that can be shared at the state, regional, national and global levels. Colorado State University is developing technology that will be used in FortZED, and Poudre School District is beginning to offer clean energy manufacturing classes in their high schools. Learn more about this exciting community project at fortzed.com.

RMI2

The Rocky Mountain Innovation Initiative (RMI2) continues to support innovative start-up companies that have the potential for significant growth. Companies in RMI2 range from software development to green toys to engine parts and components. Currently, RMI2 itself is growing and is working to build an expanded facility.

North and South College Avenue

Plans are developing for both the North and South College corridors. The North College Marketplace, a project that will spur further investment in the area, is the first major redevelopment resulting from the North College Urban Renewal Authority. The South College Corridor Plan emphasizes transportation and infrastructure improvements, while preserving open space and encouraging business development.

Mason Corridor

We are well into the engineering and design phase for the Mason Corridor, and construction is expected to begin. In March, $11.8 million in federal funding was officially approved in 2010. This one of the top transit-oriented projects in the nation and it will spur high quality infill and redevelopment for properties along the Corridor.

Downtown

Our downtown continues to thrive, offering visitors and residents unique shopping and dining, while also contributing to our Fort Collins identity. The vibrant arts and cultural community, high-quality bike trails and park system, outstanding schools, and the incredible contributions of Colorado State University all make Fort Collins one of the best cities in the nation.

Fort Collins is not immune to the problems plaguing our country. However, we are making smart choices in business development, clean energy, transportation and more. Stay up-to-date on current economic conditions and initiatives at fcgov.com/business.