City Of Boulder Seeks Feedback On Alpine-Balsam Area Plan

BOULDER, CO — After more than a year of community, board and council feedback, the City of Boulder is narrowing down options for future development at the 8.8-acre former Boulder Community Health campus and its surrounding area. To inform the next council conversation in August, the city is hosting open houses, walking tours and online engagement on BeHeardBoulder.org.

The city purchased the former hospital site in 2015 to create a welcoming and inclusive community hub, relocate city services that are currently in a high hazard floodplain and create a vision for redevelopment in the area.

Key goals of the area plan include strengthening the retail core, exploring how to add affordable housing and balancing the mix of uses that make the neighborhood thrive, the city said.

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The city is seeking feedback on density and the type of housing that should be built on the former hospital site. Three land use options under consideration for the area would meet goals for affordable housing and mixed use. A fourth option emphasizes mixed use with more city and county services and less potential for housing.

The city is also seeking feedback on urban design, access, mobility and flood management.

“Hundreds of Boulder community members have provided input into the Alpine-Balsam Vision Plan and area plan development,” said Jean Gatza, a City of Boulder senior planner, in a news release. “As we narrow the options for the area plan, this is the opportunity for people to review what is on the table, understand the opportunities and impacts, and provide feedback before a draft plan is presented to Planning Board and City Council.”

Community members are invited to attend an open house, participate in a walking tour and give feedback online at BeHeardBoulder.org from July 12 to July 24.

Community members are invited to local open houses to view boards and talk to staff about land use options and urban design elements, as well as a range of ideas for improving public spaces, creating diverse and affordable housing and improving mobility and flood management.

• Saturday, July 13, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., 1136 Alpine Ave.
• Wednesday, July 17, 4:30 – 7 p.m., 1777 Broadway, Municipal Building Lobby
• Monday, July 22, 4:30 – 7 p.m., 2775 Valmont Rd., The Rayback Collective

The public is also invited to participate in and provide feedback during walking tours, which will outline the draft Connections Plan for the area. Space is limited—attendees are asked to Eventbrite to sign up.

• Monday, July 15, 7:30 – 9 a.m., 1136 Alpine Ave. Sign up with Eventbrite
• Wednesday, July 17, 3:30 – 5 p.m., 1136 Alpine Ave. Sign up with Eventbrite

City Council is scheduled to provide direction on the proposed area plan on Aug. 27 and provide final acceptance at a public hearing in October.

More information on the vision, goals and options for the Alpine-Balsam Area Plan can be found at www.bouldercolorado.gov/planning/alpinebalsam.