Update: City Council Work Session Materials
City Council reviewed community feedback and discussed next steps on the project at a Work Session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Please find links to the Council Work Session materials below, including a video recording of the discussion (forthcoming):
The purpose of this item is to review previous activity regarding the Hughes property, provide findings from recent outreach, and discuss potential and desired next steps as the City gets closer to acquisition of the property.
Future of Hughes Project
Welcome to the City of Fort Collins' hub for online engagement around the former Hughes Stadium site. Thank you for your interest in providing input on the potential future uses on the site. We're here to provide an update on the process, hear your ideas, and share how your feedback to plan the site’s uses is incorporated.
A previous process contemplated development of the former Hughes site with other uses, before Fort Collins citizens voted to rezone the Hughes Stadium property in April 2021. As a result of the ballot initiative, the City rezoned the property as "Public Open Lands," which allows the site to be used for parks, recreation, open lands, natural areas, and wildlife rescue and restoration. Now that the property is rezoned, the City is in the process of acquiring the land from Colorado State University, which should be complete in early 2023.
Engagement Goals
With the property rezoned for open space and acquisition underway, the City is soliciting your input into future land use scenarios for Hughes. The City is holding focus groups and asking for continued input on this site to supplement the feedback received from the community to date. This input will be shared with City Council in the form of future land use scenarios that balance priorities and needs, in early 2023.
What the City Heard
Thank you to the community members who provided valuable input on the process so far. The City is incorporating the feedback received through past engagement and surveys (e.g., the City's recent community survey, the 2021 Parks & Recreation Master Plan, and outreach conducted during prior Hughes development efforts).
Here are the high level themes that the City heard during those engagement efforts, all of which will be considered as the City develops scenarios for potential use of the Hughes site:
- Protect the views of the foothills for the site and surrounding neighborhood.
- Create space that the community can use for recreation and enjoyment of natural space, with limited development.
- Consider environmental protections and buffers for wildlife, water, and native plant species.
- Maintain access to nearby natural areas, such as the Maxwell Natural Area.
- Increase trails and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
Hughes Stadium Process
Milestones:
2016: Colorado State University (CSU) closes the 164-acres Hughes Stadium site
2019 – 2022: City considers options for the site
2021: Citizens vote to rezone the site for “parks, recreation, open lands, natural areas, wildlife rescue and restoration. City rezones Hughes Stadium as open space
2022: City is developing scenarios for use of the Hughes Stadium Site for City Council review in early 2023
2023: City anticipates acquiring the site from CSU
For background information on previous Hughes Stadium planning and development efforts, click here.
Update: City Council Work Session Materials
City Council reviewed community feedback and discussed next steps on the project at a Work Session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Please find links to the Council Work Session materials below, including a video recording of the discussion (forthcoming):
The purpose of this item is to review previous activity regarding the Hughes property, provide findings from recent outreach, and discuss potential and desired next steps as the City gets closer to acquisition of the property.
Future of Hughes Project
Welcome to the City of Fort Collins' hub for online engagement around the former Hughes Stadium site. Thank you for your interest in providing input on the potential future uses on the site. We're here to provide an update on the process, hear your ideas, and share how your feedback to plan the site’s uses is incorporated.
A previous process contemplated development of the former Hughes site with other uses, before Fort Collins citizens voted to rezone the Hughes Stadium property in April 2021. As a result of the ballot initiative, the City rezoned the property as "Public Open Lands," which allows the site to be used for parks, recreation, open lands, natural areas, and wildlife rescue and restoration. Now that the property is rezoned, the City is in the process of acquiring the land from Colorado State University, which should be complete in early 2023.
Engagement Goals
With the property rezoned for open space and acquisition underway, the City is soliciting your input into future land use scenarios for Hughes. The City is holding focus groups and asking for continued input on this site to supplement the feedback received from the community to date. This input will be shared with City Council in the form of future land use scenarios that balance priorities and needs, in early 2023.
What the City Heard
Thank you to the community members who provided valuable input on the process so far. The City is incorporating the feedback received through past engagement and surveys (e.g., the City's recent community survey, the 2021 Parks & Recreation Master Plan, and outreach conducted during prior Hughes development efforts).
Here are the high level themes that the City heard during those engagement efforts, all of which will be considered as the City develops scenarios for potential use of the Hughes site:
- Protect the views of the foothills for the site and surrounding neighborhood.
- Create space that the community can use for recreation and enjoyment of natural space, with limited development.
- Consider environmental protections and buffers for wildlife, water, and native plant species.
- Maintain access to nearby natural areas, such as the Maxwell Natural Area.
- Increase trails and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
Hughes Stadium Process
Milestones:
2016: Colorado State University (CSU) closes the 164-acres Hughes Stadium site
2019 – 2022: City considers options for the site
2021: Citizens vote to rezone the site for “parks, recreation, open lands, natural areas, wildlife rescue and restoration. City rezones Hughes Stadium as open space
2022: City is developing scenarios for use of the Hughes Stadium Site for City Council review in early 2023
2023: City anticipates acquiring the site from CSU
For background information on previous Hughes Stadium planning and development efforts, click here.
