Last week I took a tour of Boulder Junction with some folks from the city. I learned a lot! What a cool space with lots more to come. Had some yummy food at the The Roadhouse at Boulder Depot. Great history with this building. Built in 1890 on 14th and Water Street (Now Canyon Street), the Western- Victorian Era rail station served as a passenger station for Union Pacific Railroad. After 1957, it concluded its tenure as a train depot, but continued to serve transportation needs in the Boulder community as a bus terminal and travel agency. It was moved in 2008 and now serves as a community gathering place. Neat vibe.
Other things we toured:
Hyatt Place Hotel – Very nice hotel with some spectacular views. Got to see a very nice suite, their conference space and a lobby complete with coffee and baked goods.
Solana – This is the private apartment complex on the SE corner of Pearl and 31st Street (about 90% occupied on average). It’s been open one year this month. Very fancy with a gym, yoga room (there is a virtual instructor on the screen 24/7) community room with cooking facilities, and an AMAZING pool with a view. They created a great space, nice units (320 total). There is a coffee machine available at all times, fresh baked goodies and a front desk person. Rates are definitely up there with a studio renting for about $1600. One bedroom for $1770-$2030 and two bedrooms for $2060-$2525. All residents get an EcoPass and pets are allowed (with an extra pet deposit).
I also got to tour the affordable housing units. 71 units with income limitations. All but two units are rented.
The last thing we looked at was the actual Boulder Junction at Depot Square Station. Buses come underground and it has a real “city” feel. They have “standing” chairs that are quite comfortable. The hope is that the SkyRide (to the airport) will make this one of their stops and create a more seamless travel experience for visitors. They can then get on many other buses to get to Pearl Street, CU-Boulder or other parts of town.
At lunch I learned about a couple new projects that are in the pipeline. There will be a pocket park just West of the Hyatt. Right next to the Goose Creek trail which is a great bike path that runs through Boulder Junction. Boulder Commons is a mixed use development that will be just North of the restaurant. It will feature another restaurant, coffee shop, quasi retail on the lower level, a salon and commercial space above. Developers are looking to be the first Net Zero building in Boulder. A large focus on design and sustainability. One entire wall of the building will be solar.
S’PARK is a mixed-use and mixed-income residential project along Valmont Road where the Sutherlands Lumberyard operated for the last 40 years. There will be market rate condos, affordable housing, Community Cycles is moving it’s headquarters there. It is based on a European model where streets can be shut down for community events. Upslope Brewing is going to take one of the spaces.
I’m excited to see how this community evolves over time. The overall build out plan is about 10 years. It was really fun to see what they’ve already done with this pocket of Boulder. Check it out when you have a chance!
