Bennett board bandies town center plan
This article originally appeared here in the I-70 Scout on April 3 and was written by Kathy Smiley.
A town center plan in the works in Bennett would create a new “heart of the town,” including a civic district, a cultural center and a town square.
The project area is approximately a half mile north of I-70 and along the western side of Highway 79 — north of King Soopers. The Town Board of Trustees heard a report on the final Town Center Conceptual Plan March 26.
Deputy Town Manager Rachel Summers provided background, noting that, in 2019, Bennett received a $25,000 Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) grant with a $25,000 match to create a plan to guide the development of the 40-acre area in the core center of Bennett.
Summers emphasized the conceptual plan is not a final design but lays the groundwork for future grant opportunities and further conversations with partners including Adams County, Anythink libraries, and the Bennett Arts & Cultural Committee, which all wish to expand services in the Bennett area. The landowner has also been involved in the discussions.
After a presentation and discussion of the conceptual plan, the board approved a resolution to apply for a $2 million DOLA Main Street Live grant to initiate the agreements for a land purchase and roadway construction within the town center.
Two grants already in hand from Adams County will help complete the Kiowa Creek North Open Space trailhead and parking and rubber surface replacement at Trupp Park.
The town was awarded Open Space grants in an amount of 70% of the total project costs for the trail project, not to exceed $1,166,000; and in an amount of 50% of the total project costs for the Trupp Park project, not to exceed $25,000. The trustees approved the grant agreements.