Windsor, Larimer, Fort Collins meet to discuss interchange

The Colo. 392 and Interstate 25 exchange may be Fort Collins' southeastern gateway, but it's Windsor's primary gateway.

That was the message sent Wednesday by EDAW consultant Bruce Meighen at a joint work session between the Windsor Town Board, the Fort Collins City Council and the Larimer County Commissioners on what to do about the growing problems at the interchange.

EDAW is a consulting firm hired by Windsor and Fort Collins to investigate ways to fund improvements to the intersection since officials from the Colorado Department of Transportation has all but said they can't do anything about the growing congestion on the ramps and overpass.

When Windsor Mayor Ed Starck talks to employers in the area, he said one of the things most concerning for them is the safety of their employees getting to and from work.

Although everyone involved with the yearlong project is in agreement that something needs to change and both governments are willing to work together, not everyone was clear on how to make those $22 million in changes happen.

Meighen pointed out three strategies for collecting the money needed.

One put the entire responsibility on the 30 or so private property owners in the area. One had Windsor, Fort Collins, the department of transportation and the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization kicking in 20 percent of the cost with property owners picking up the rest. The final option opened up a new tax option that would spread to the public in a much wider area.

"This is about lost opportunities," Fort Collins City Council member David Roy said. "This has always been a responsibility of the state government, and now we're talking partnerships. I couldn't be more disappointed with the state of Colorado for not being responsible for this."

The project outlines new on and off ramps, improvements to the frontage roads and bridge and possible bus stations or park-and-rides in the middle off the highway. But it's a long way from acceptance and even longer from fruition.

Several Fort Collins council members expressed concern with moving too quickly or going with the plan as it was presented. Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Ohlson was disturbed by EDAW including a property improvement fee into the public side of the pot.

"Do I want to partner with Windsor on this? Yes," said Ohlson. "Do I think improvements are needed? Yes. Should it be fixed? Yes. Am I comfortable with the plan? And would I support it if it came to council in November? No. As one-seventh of the Fort Collins City Council, I'm not even close to comfortable.

"You've dug a gigantic hole with me by telling me $17 million comes from the private sector and it doesn't. I need complete truth and honesty to sell this, and I don't see either."