A Look Ahead
Here is a quick glimpse into projects in the works across the building study, referendum planning, public involvement
country. Watch for more on them in our blog (AyresAssociates. meetings, architectural and interior design, structural, civil
com/blog/) and in future TRENDS issues. engineering, and survey services.
Referendum planning leads to
school’s new addition, renovation Development rises above the ashes
After more than a year of referendum planning, the Gresham
School District in Wisconsin has a new addition and renovation
under way. Ayres assisted with the referendum and is now
providing design services for the 20,300-square-foot addition
and 5,500-square-foot renovation to the school, which serves
elementary, middle- and high-school students. The $8 million
upgrade will include a new and renovated school wing for the
middle and high school students, as well as a new common
cafeteria and kitchen that will serve all grades. Careful planning
and design was required to keep the building operational The Windsor Mill development in Windsor, Colorado, has proven
throughout the school year while allowing a phased transition it’s a survivor not just once, or twice, but now three times. When
and demolition of the original 1935 school building that is used a 2008 tornado touched down in the heart of the northern
for much of the middle and high school curriculum. A secured Colorado community, the 14,400-square-foot Windsor Mill &
entrance was also included in the design. Elevator Co. building was heavily damaged while it was amid
a redevelopment effort (a fire first burned the building in the
late 1800s). In 2016, Fort-Collins, Colorado-based developer
Blue Ocean Enterprises stepped in to restore the historic
building. Just as the restoration was nearly complete, disaster
struck again when an arsonist burned the building nearly to
the ground in 2017.
Instead of giving up, Blue Ocean and the Windsor Downtown
Develop Authority (DDA) rolled up their sleeves and retooled
the project, which had now transformed from a redevelopment
project to mostly a new construction effort. It has recently
Bidding plans for the project were completed in less than 10 opened with two tenants: Cacciatore Windsor at Heller’s Kitchen
weeks to accommodate the school’s schedule and to begin and the Windsor Mill Tavern. Plans for a brewpub at the location
construction by the start of summer in 2019. The final phase are also under way. An old silo from the property was relocated
will start in the summer of 2020, with completion of the whole to behind the mill to be used as a stage and event space.
project planned for the end of 2020. Ayres provided an existing Although the redevelopment can no longer be considered
28 | TRENDS
Ingenuity, Integrity, and Intelligence.