This graphic from the new Tower Center project shows the location compared to other gypsum landmarks.
Special for the Daily

When the 74 acre Town Center property was annexed to the City of Gypsum in 2006, it was designated as a large industrial park. Big, like the kind of location that big cardboard stores might land on.

In the 15 years that have passed since this action, things have changed not just in the valley, but across the country. One of the biggest changes is the dwindling expansion of big box stores. This has spurred developers to turn to the Gypsum authorities with a new vision for their land.

Next week the members of the Gypsum Town Council will hear from the representatives of the Tower Center about their new concept for the property. This new plan shows a different type of development – one with a larger residential component and a reduced but still considerable commercial core.

"In 2006 it was a different world and a different economy, and the Tower Center was supposed to be a highly concentrated business park," said Jeremy Rietmann, director of Gypsum Town. "Everything that has changed and all of these changes mean that the market cannot support what has been proposed."

The applicant for the revised project concept is Urban Investment Research Corp., a real estate company that deals with the construction and management of commercial and residential projects. The land is owned by Eagle County Land Company LLC, their subsidy company. Braun Associates is the project planner.

The previously approved plan included 517,000 square meters of commercial space, "highlighted by two large stores, in-line retail, pad locations, office space and a hotel". The plan also included 330 residential units.

The new plan provides for 511 residential units, which are composed as follows:

  • 47 small single-family house plots
  • 80 terraced houses
  • 336 rental apartments
  • 48 residential units on the second or third floor of commercial buildings on the site

The revised proposal provides for commercial use of 176,000 square meters. While that's about a quarter of the original commercial size, it's still a large fraction. For comparison: The Eagle City Market Store covers around 57,000 square meters.

At this point in the approval process, the question arises whether the city will agree to this change in vision or not. A sketch plan approval does not include building permit rights. That comes in the next phase, when a detailed proposal is discussed that addresses wide-ranging issues such as parking, traffic, open space, community impact and more.

Pay his way

As Gypsum is considering the revised Tower Center plan, the city wants to get as many commercial uses as possible, said Rietmann. This is especially true for the clearly visible land along US Highway 6.

"The city is hesitant to add residential development without a commercial component because the residential development does not pay for itself," said Rietmann. He noted that the proposed 100,000 square feet of retail space along the highway could accommodate the kind of retailers that residents of the valley want.

Another change to the Tower Center plan are "aviation uses", which are named on the south side of the site. Since the property is adjacent to the Eagle County Regional Airport, the development team reached out to Eagle County to see if there was any interest in expanding. The plan sketch indicates that there are many government and construction site issues that need to be addressed beforehand.

"In the event that the city has no interest in using the Tower Center for aviation or the district decides not to pursue the idea, the part of the land currently designated as an aviation planning area will be converted into additional single-family plots and free space," says the plan.

The public hearing of the Tower Center Outline Plan is scheduled for the Gips City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 27th. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. For the full agenda and the new Tower Center sketch map, visit TownofGypsum.com.

source https://seapointrealtors.com/2021/07/25/a-new-vision-for-gypsums-long-stalled-tower-center-development/

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