Evolution of College Avenue and Drake Road: A Tale of Two Intersections
The intersections of College Avenue and Drake Road in Fort Collins, Colorado, and 25th Street and University Avenue near Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, represent pivotal points in their respective communities. These areas have undergone significant transformations, shaped by economic development, urban planning initiatives, and the evolving needs of residents and students. This article delves into the history of these two intersections, exploring their past, present, and future.
The Transformation of College Avenue and Drake Road in Fort Collins
The intersection of College Avenue and Drake Road in Fort Collins stands as a testament to the city's Midtown vision, a plan conceived nearly a decade ago alongside the development of the MAX bus rapid transit system. This area has witnessed a series of changes, reflecting the city's ambition to create a bustling, mixed-use corridor.
Redevelopment Plans and Midtown Vision
In recent years, the intersection has been the focus of significant redevelopment efforts. Brinkman Development, a Fort Collins-based company, submitted preliminary plans to the city to transform the former Spradley Barr Mazda dealership site into a mixed-use development. The plans included a four-story hotel, five-story apartments, and retail spaces along College Avenue and Drake Road. This project aligns with the city's Midtown vision, which aims to create a vibrant urban center with a mix of residential, commercial, and transportation options.
Brinkman CEO Kevin Brinkman expressed enthusiasm for the site, noting its prime location and proximity to the MAX stop. The redevelopment project aimed to break ground near the end of summer and deliver the hotel, multifamily housing, and College Avenue retail spaces by summer 2019. The remaining retail spaces on Drake Road would be developed as the market dictated.
The city's economic health director, Josh Birks, noted that the project aligns with the city's vision for Midtown, which includes creating a bustling corridor with new apartments and commercial spaces. The Midtown plan envisioned nearly 3,000 new apartments in five-, six- and seven-story buildings big enough to meet the housing demands of a growing city.
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Infrastructure Improvements and Urban Renewal
The redevelopment of College Avenue and Drake Road has also spurred infrastructure improvements. City planner Clay Frickey noted that the Brinkman plan would require street and landscape enhancements, including an eastbound right turn lane on Drake to go south on College. Drake Road would also need to be improved to meet city standards for a four-lane arterial street, including detached sidewalks with a tree lawn on both sides.
The city of Fort Collins purchased a nearly 4-acre slice at the intersection of Drake and College for $9 million to build a new electric substation. This new substation will replace an existing facility and serve the growing needs of Midtown and Colorado State University.
Future Developments and Long-Term Vision
The intersection of College Avenue and Drake Road continues to evolve. Oklahoma-based convenience store chain QuikTrip submitted plans for a convenience store and fueling station on the former dealership property. A capital improvement project is also in the works for the intersection, with plans to add dual left turn lanes in all four directions, increase right turn safety, and improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and accessibility. Improvements at the intersection are set to start in early 2027 and be completed by early 2029.
The city's long-term vision for Midtown includes creating a vibrant, walkable, and sustainable urban center. The redevelopment of College Avenue and Drake Road is a key component of this vision, with the goal of creating a dynamic mixed-use environment that serves the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors.
Revitalizing the Drake Neighborhood in Des Moines
The Drake neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa, has experienced a similar transformation, driven by the efforts of Drake University to revitalize the area surrounding its campus. This revitalization has involved strategic development projects, community engagement initiatives, and a focus on integrating the university with the surrounding neighborhood.
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Michael Ferrari's Vision and Development Projects
Michael Ferrari, who became Drake University's president in 1985, played a pivotal role in revitalizing the properties surrounding the campus. One of Ferrari’s main goals during his tenure was to revitalize the properties surrounding the campus at 25th Street and University Avenue. He worked with developer William C. Knapp to spearhead this effort. In the decades following Ferrari’s development project in 1985, the neighborhood surrounding Drake has seen significant change. From older projects like the 1987 construction of the Drake Diner to future developments such as the installation of Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.
Integrating the University with the Neighborhood
Integrating Drake into the surrounding environment occasionally meant altering the community already there. Sarah Judson Brown, a Drake alumna, noted that the university has made significant strides in connecting with the neighborhood. “When I was a student, they didn’t really have the ‘where is the Drake University front door? Where is ‘welcome to Drake?’ Where is the signage?’” Judson Brown said.
Stuyvesant, another Drake alumnus, noted that the university has become more integrated with the surrounding neighborhood over the years. “I was a student from ‘98 and back then, Drake was kind of like an island of university among the neighborhood,” said Stuyvesant. “Other than Peggy’s, Library and West End, students didn’t really go anywhere to the neighborhood businesses.
The University does a really good job of supporting the area and directing people here,” said Stuyvesant. “It’s mentioned in the maps, mentioning the businesses, that there are things for students. The amount of students who you see hustling and bustling through Dogtown is a lot higher than when I was here,” said Stuyvesant. “But you know, when I was here, Mars wasn’t here. We didn’t have Dough Co., we didn’t have Lucky Horse.
Community Engagement and Collaboration
Drake University has also focused on community engagement and collaboration to foster a strong relationship with the surrounding neighborhood. Student organizations have been involved in local community initiatives, such as yard work for older residents. The university also works with local nonprofits to promote the Dogtown area, which benefits from increased student traffic.
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Caitlin Judkins, a senior and reporting director in the capstone, noted that Dogtown socials is run by nonprofits, ChoiceDSM, CreativeDSM, but they aren’t paid to get that done,” said Caitlin Judkins, a senior and reporting director in the capstone. “They are a non-profit for all of Des Moines, so they are spread very far. To make sure we demonstrate what residents want to see, we will go to Drake neighborhood meetings, attend business owner meetings, and they’ll come to our class meetings sometimes,” said Judkins. “Drake wants to have a strong surrounding community, and Dogtown benefits because students will go to the stores. If Dogtown flourishes, then Drake can reel in more students. While [Dogtown and Drake] are independent, they work together a lot.
Preserving History While Embracing Progress
During her time as a Drake student, Judson Brown believed the University had a good relationship with the neighborhood. Student organizations were involved in the local community, and her sorority, Chi Omega, did yard work for an older woman living alone in the neighborhood.
While the Drake neighborhood has seen significant progress, there are also challenges to address. Judson Brown noted that some of the older houses in the area have been replaced by newer developments. “It was post World War II or older little houses, little wooden houses that were all there,” Judson Brown said. “There’s several, at least a block of those.
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