Fall 2021 Generator Development Update
In the last few years, Generator Development grew Little Man Ice Cream from their single LoHi location to 6 additional ice cream emporiums. Since then the team has been a little quiet, so it must be time for an update. The Generator Development leadership team is made up of Paul Tamburello and Rene Doubleday. Both share a passion for unique projects in unique spaces, like the ones they are cooking up now.
Generator Development purchased the former Longmont Water Treatment Plant. This is about 7 acres in the town of Lyons divided by Highway 66. Demolition has been completed on the north parcel and further demolition is beginning on some of the small buildings on the south parcel. The team hopes to create a development that includes mixed-use commercial/light industrial with possible lodging. This change depends greatly on a zoning change.
To begin that process, the team has contracted with the traffic engineer to do a traffic study on highway 66 to present suggestions to CDOT for possible improvements. An estimated 4 million cars pass through Lyons every year and this development would give them a reason to stop and stay awhile. Another necessary step is to restore the river in the area of the parcel. The devastating floods of 2013 wreaked havoc on the riverfront of the St. Vrain Creek. Restoration is necessary for people to enjoy the riverfront again.
The project is still in the planning phase, but it will be exciting to follow and see what takes shape.
The next project the team is tackling is two churches near Highlands Square. The adjacent buildings are on 29th and Julian, in the Ghost Historic District. The churches are actually the only structures that are not residential in the 9 square block area.
The hope is that with new zoning the former houses of worship can continue to be a gathering place for the neighborhood. Small restaurants or retail could find a cozy home in these historic buildings and serve as a valuable neighborhood amenity. With their historic designation, the buildings’ exterior will remain the same, but the interior may be slightly altered to better cater to the new uses. So far, the Generator Development team has filed a pre-application with the city and held several neighborhood meetings with neighbors and neighborhood organizations to discuss possibilities and concerns.
The final project in the works is the newest Illegal Pete’s location on West Colfax. The location is directly next door to the Little Man Factory and will combine to create a fun neighborhood gathering space. All plans have been submitted to the city, and the team is just waiting for approval.