Support the Third Street Center Campaign

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Rendering by Jeff Ellis, Land + Shelter

Third Street Center Campaign
Honorary
Co-Chairs

Michael Hassig, Mayor,
Town of Carbondale

George Stranahan, Founder,
The Manaus Fund

J. Robert Young, Chairman,
Alpine Banks of Colorado

Third Street Center Campaign Committee

Richard B. Fuller, Chair

Shane Evans

Lynn Kirchner

Laura Kirk

Michael McVoy

Robyn J. Myler

Dave Reed

Third Street Center Campaign Advisory Council

Stacey Bernot

Martha Cochran

Russ Criswell

Jody Ensign

Doug Graybeal

Doug Lamont

Laurie Loeb

Tim McFlynn

Ro Mead

Frosty Merriott

Dan Miller

Steve Novy

Third Street Center Board of Directors

Richard B. Fuller, President

Michael McVoy,
Vice President

Dan Miller, Treasurer

Ro Mead, Secretary

Stacey Bernot

Shane Evans

Laura Kirk

George Stranahan

Capital Campaign Director
Kristen Loden
970-589-0143
 

A Message from the Honorary Co-Chairs
of the Third Street Center Campaign:

For many communities, the prospect of converting a 1960's-era elementary school building into an inviting, diverse, energy-efficient nonprofit center would be considered ambitious, if not quixotic. Even the most resourceful civic leaders would likely cast a wary - and weary - eye upon the complicated land exchanges, zoning maneuvers, design considerations and financing logistics that such an endeavor would require.

The Town of Carbondale saw the challenge differently. With a spirit that reflects its deeply held belief in the power of collaboration, this community has embraced the Third Street Center.

It's an understandable response if you consider Carbondale's track record: The Spring Gulch Trail System, the annual Mountain Fair, and the Sopris Sun newspaper are just a few manifestations of local partnerships that have coalesced to provide valuable services to Carbondale and Roaring Fork Valley residents.

The Third Street Center is an equally determined grassroots endeavor. Varied community groups have come together to pursue common goals. Development and architecture professionals have worked tirelessly to infuse the facility with innovative green design elements. Lenders have crafted creative loan arrangements that reward enterprise, thrift and responsibility. Elected officials, recognizing the unique opportunity to make a lasting difference, have passed the torch of support to their successors. Nonprofit organizations have joined forces to fashion a framework for the shared services and spaces they will enjoy as tenants. Private citizens have stepped forward to lend their financial support and their time as volunteers.

These stakeholders' efforts speak to a shared vision for a center that serves - in the broadest and most authentic sense - the community we know and cherish. The nonprofit organizations, artists and entrepreneurs who call the Third Street Center home will bring vitality, educational value, cultural enrichment, environmental awareness, and social engagement to tens of thousands of people living in the Roaring Fork Valley. It's hard to envision a project with greater impact.

To be sure, the story of the Third Street Center to date is impressive and multi-faceted . . . and yet it is incomplete. We have reached a critical point where additional support is necessary. We hope you will agree with us that this community enterprise is worthy of investment.

Please join us in making the Third Street Center a reality.
 

$1.875 MILLION THIRD STREET CENTER
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

TO CREATE REGIONAL NONPROFIT CENTER
IN CARBONDALE

Campaign will transform Carbondale Elementary School into home for artists, environmental groups, social service agencies, and other community organizations

CARBONDALE , CO (November 13, 2009) -- The Third Street Center announced today that it has received gifts and pledges totaling $1.25 million towards its $1.875 million capital campaign goal. Formed in 2008, the nonprofit organization is raising funds to renovate the former Carbondale Elementary School and operate the facility as a regional nonprofit center. The 45,100-square-foot building will eventually become home to more than two-dozen organizations now scattered throughout the Roaring Fork Valley .

The project represents the realization of a long-time dream for community members, nonprofit leaders, design professionals, and elected officials . Providing long-term, affordable rental space, the Center will bring together nonprofit organizations, artists and small businesses under one roof. The multi-tenant, mixed-use facility will promote community and model sustainability in its design and practice. 

Roughly 50% of the Center’s space has been leased to tenants. Committed tenants include Mountain Valley Developmental Services; Solar Energy International (SEI); Sustainability Center of the Rockies (SCoR); Wilderness Workshop; and YouthZone. Arts anchor tenant Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities (CCAH) will coordinate a variety of gallery shows, performances and community gatherings in the Center’s Round Room. “We are excited about the spirit and energy that will be created by all of the tenants,” said CCAH Executive Director Ro Mead. “I believe the entire community will reap the benefits of the Third Street Center .”

Thanks to innovative green design features, the Center will bring security and savings to its nonprofit tenants through a lease rate that is well below the current market standard. Shared spaces, such as a conference room, communications center, break area, and community room, will promote collaboration and further conserve resources by reducing the amount of space tenants must lease individually. More of these organizations’ resources can be directed to delivering and expanding services – rather than to defraying overhead expenses.

“One of the many things that make Carbondale a remarkable community is its culture of volunteerism and civic engagement,” Carbondale Mayor Michael Hassig noted. ”I view the creation of the Center as a crucial step in the preservation and enhancement of this culture. The Third Street Center represents a rare vision – and a rare opportunity.”

The Third Street Center Campaign has received gifts from a wide range of individuals, government agencies and foundations. Government grants include $500,000 from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), $135,000 from Garfield County , and $100,000 from the Town of Carbondale . Local foundations such as Aspen Community Foundation and the Environment Foundation have joined major Front Range foundations such as the El Pomar Foundation and Gates Family Foundation, which committed a $100,000 challenge grant, in providing critical support. Additional capital for the project has come from The Manaus Fund in the form of pre-development funding, and from Alpine Bank, through a construction loan and mortgage secured by bank qualified tax-exempt bonds.

Tamara Tormohlen, Executive Director of Aspen Community Foundation, is among the Center’s greatest advocates. “The Third Street Center is designed to foster a synergistic exchange of ideas and resources among nonprofits that in turn supports programs of lasting relevance and value for our community,” Tormohlen said. “This made the Center an outstanding fit from a funding standpoint … we’re so convinced of its importance that the Community Foundation has decided to establish a lower valley office there.”

The project gained substantial traction in November 2008, when a land swap between the Town of Carbondale and the Roaring Fork RE-1 School District brought the school building and the property upon which it sits into the Town’s ownership. The Town subsequently executed a renewable 49-year lease with Carbondale Community Nonprofit Center (the official name of the nonprofit entity), allowing years of planning to proceed to tangible work at the Third Street Center .

The final phase of construction will begin the week of November 16. The projected construction completion date is May 2010. A grand opening celebration for the community is planned in June 2010.

Land + Shelter serves as development lead for the project. Energy & Sustainable Design is the architect of record, with B & H General Contractors providing general contracting services.

A nonprofit entity itself, the Third Street Center relies on donations to fund the capital improvements that will transform the Carbondale Elementary School . All of its board members, headed by Alpine Bank-Carbondale President Richard B. Fuller, are community volunteers who donate their time, talents, and financial resources. Carbondale Mayor Michael Hassig, The Manaus Fund Founder George Stranahan, and Alpine Banks of Colorado Chairman J. Robert Young serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of the Third Street Center Campaign.

The Third Street Center will host an informal open house and groundbreaking celebration on Thursday, December 3 at 4:30 p.m. All members of the community are welcome.

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For more information about supporting the Third Street Center Campaign, visit the Center’s Web site at www.thirdstreetcenter.net or contact Capital Campaign Director Kristen Loden at 970-589-0143.