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By Riley Polumbus
Reprinted from 'Boat Biz, September 2006
Steamboat's first building boom began in 1966 and lasted twenty years. Much like weeds sprouting up where they could, twenty years worth of independent development yielded a scattered sprawl of buildings dubbed "the mountain village."
Twenty years later, 2006 the Base Area is about to embark on a new era of redevelopment with three major projects underway and a Base Area Redevelopment Plan known as "Steamboat Unbridled" which aims to do some "weed-whacking" and sculpt the area into a finished product with improved fluency and interrelated characteristics.
"This is the first time there's been an effort to cohesively plan development in the base area," said Tom Leeson, Steamboat Springs Planning Director who has overseen the City's hiring of design consultant Wenk Associates and played a role in adapting new design standards which Leeson claims have raised the bar.
"The plan is intended to draw people, visitors and residents alike," said Leeson. "It's going to be a place where people will want to hang out and walk around, that hasn't been there for twenty-five years."
Unveiling the new Base Area Plan: Steamboat Unbridled
At a recent Brown Bag Lunch at the Tread of Pioneers Museum, Leeson outlined the project's scope to a packed room, explaining where Steamboat Unbridled got its start. The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) was formed in 2005 and will be guided by the Steamboat Springs City Council for twenty-five years. In October 2005 City Council adopted the Base Area Plan, updated the Mountain Town Sub-Area Plan (now the new land use plan) and establishing base area project concepts. New development regulations and design standards followed, and in February 2006, the City hired Wenk Associates, a Colorado landscape architecture firm, to lead a design team.
Leeson explained that just as Denver's "T-REX," was used to brand the expansion of Interstate 25, one of the design team members, Noble Erikson, Inc. suggested branding the future project, "Steamboat Unbridled." A phrase adapted from Steamboat's most recognized visual, the barn poster. Taking the image of a horse and playing off of Steamboat's active characteristics, the brand is expected to help the public identify with this future era of improvements.
The first phase of these improvements will include utility upgrades, roadway and pedestrian circulation projects, transit improvements, improved signage and way finding, streetscape beautification projects, public restrooms, the seasonal day lighting of Burgess Creek and development of the "Burgess Creek Promenade" from One Steamboat Place to the Thunderhead building, also referred to as "the beachfront."
Leeson explained that the Burgess Creek Promenade was one of the first important concepts discussed in Steamboat Unbridled's project scope. He referred to this as the "Slopeside Study."
"When you sit at Slopeside (the restaurant) watch the people try to walk around," Leeson said. "The Burgess Creek Promenade will create a better interface from Gondola Square to Ski Time Square and give the visitor a sense of movement transitioning from one place to another.
When builders started building up Steamboat's base area forty years ago, their thoughts were mostly focused on skiing. Steamboat Unbridled's vision will create a destination where visitors and residents alike will want to spend time year round. The day lighting of Burgess Creek will give the area back its original summer state while enhancing the visitor experience with bridge crossings, gathering areas along the creek as well as large lawn areas and improved mountain bike trail connections. In the winter the promenade will provide a more clear separation between skiers/snowboarders and pedestrian traffic.
 Improvements beginning with way finding and better signage, from Mt. Werner Road as well as at the base area will help welcome the guest and give them a sense of entry into the resort. According to the Design Intent in the Master Plan, the approach to the ski area along Mt. Werner Road will include ranch fencing and landscaping that will reflect the valley's natural vegetation.
In 2007, the improvements will include work underground including investigating a recent geologic study to determine whether it is possible to use geothermal to heat sidewalks and buildings. There is also an aging underground infrastructure including water, sewage and electric that needs to be upgraded to handle the area's current density.
Some of the visible public improvements include portions of the Burgess Creek Promenade, a sidewalk to connect Ski Time Square Road to the Gondola Transportation Center, removal of "Checkpoint Charlie" and improved signage and way finding. Signs and way finding will also share common characteristics and create a unified feel.
New News is Good News
On Wednesday, September 06, 2006 The Denver Post reported that the sale of Ski Time Square Enterprises, which had been announced on Friday, September 1, 2006, could trigger redevelopment of private buildings such as Thunderhead Lodge and the Ski Time Square commercial buildings. While Starwood Hotels & Resorts is the managing company of the Sheraton Steamboat Resort, Ski Time Square Enterprises is the private investment group that owns the Sheraton Steamboat Resort and golf course, Ski Time Square residential and shopping complex, Thunderhead Lodge and Condominiums, and Graystone Park residential development. Ski Time Square Enterprises selected HVS Capital Corp, the investment banking division of the global hospitality firm, HVS International, as the exclusive representative to market for the sale of the properties. HVS has vast experience in representing and marketing major properties.
"The Sheraton and related assets are all located on the 'beachfront' of the ski area, and, given the redevelopment climate made possible by the Steamboat Springs Town [sic] Council, the properties are poised for a complete repositioning and redevelopment at the heart of the resort's base area," said Mike Sullivan, Managing Director of HVS Capital Corp.
Jane Blackstone, a consultant for the Base Area Redevelopment Coalition (BARC) which is a group of business and property owners, feels that the possible sale of these properties is a great opportunity for Steamboat Unbridled.
"This might accelerate their development," said Blackstone. "It could be good for the URA."
Because the URA was established to generate public dollars for improvement of public infrastructure, it was also thought to help inspire more private development.
Leeson agrees that this new news is good news as it could create some additional opportunity, and with both the Steamboat Ski Area and Ski Time Square properties for sale it may open the market for more buyers.
"One of the issues the ski area has is that they do not have the real estate," Leeson said. "This is an opportunity that didn't exist before."
"We have been a member of this community for 30 years, and Ski Time Square Enterprises has the interests of Steamboat in mind as it moves forward," said Chuck Porter, general manager Sheraton Steamboat Resort. "We are pleased about the potential this change could bring for the Steamboat base area."
Porter also stated that while the timing of this announcement is very similar to that of American Skiing Co., the two decisions are as unrelated as the two companies.
"We're hoping that the coincidence of these announcements does not confuse anyone or the Steamboat community, with which Ski Time Enterprises, and I, feel a strong bond," said Porter.
The decision, according to Porter, is good timing.
"Thanks to favorable market conditions, the timing seems appropriate to explore opportunities to allow the properties to reach their full potential," said Porter.
"This is an exciting time for Steamboat."
Images provided by Wenk Associates
Wild Horse Meadows Visit their website! 
Location: Mt. Werner Circle
Formerly: "The Tennis Meadows"
Acreage: 47
Will Feature: Single family home sites, townhomes, mountain lofts, condo-hotels, attainable housing, Culture and Education Barn, Public Gondola, The Ranch House Athletic Club, The Steamboat Country Store and walking and biking trails.
Current Progress: Development Plan and Community Housing Plan were approved on July 25, 2006, and still waiting for approval on its Metro District. Broke ground August 23, 2006 and initial groundwork expected too be completed fall 2006. Site work including grading, roads and utilities expected to be complete by fall 2007.
Rendering by Cal Srigley, provided by Wildhorse Meadows
Illustration is an artist representation for marketing purposes only
The Highmark
Location: Après Ski Way and Mt. Werner Circle
Formerly: Vacant
Acreage: 1.3
Will Feature: Luxury condominiums and penthouses. Elegant lobby will have a concierge, gourmet grocery and wine/liquor store, and a private spa and fitness club.
Current Progress: All plans have been approved. The model condominium should be complete by the end of September.
Projected Completion: The certificate of occupancy is anticipated for late January, 2007.
One Steamboat Place Visit their website!
Location: Après Ski Way/Base of the Steamboat Ski Area
Formerly: "Lot 1"
Acreage: 4.3
Will Feature: 450,000 square feet, 15,000 square feet of commercial space, 80 residential units and a large public plaza.
Current Progress: On August 22, 2006 their Development Plan was approved. Their Final Development Plan, which includes approval of architectural plans, is expected to be approved within the next seven months. One Steamboat Place hopes to break ground in spring 2007.
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