Click here for conceptual map PDF
In 2007, the City of Fountain identified the potential for the creation of an Industrial Rail Park within its Strategic Plan for business development and Job creation. Upon the release of the strategic plan, the Great Recession hit the american landscape; with the local region loosing >15,000 manufacturing jobs.
In 2013, a bounce-back in job recovery started within the economy ; which transpired in regional partner, El Paso County, efforts to hire a consultant team to assess the viability of the proposed Industrial Rail Park.
In tandem of these effort, Fort Carson Army base began a Vision 20/30 plan in 2015 as to the future design, scope of services, and infrastructure upgrades for long-term sustainability of the installation. The Plan was completed by HB&A which identified;
Fort Carson represents the second largest employer in the State of Colorado; 30,303 EE.
In 2013, a bounce-back in job recovery started within the economy ; which transpired in regional partner, El Paso County, efforts to hire a consultant team to assess the viability of the proposed Industrial Rail Park.
In tandem of these effort, Fort Carson Army base began a Vision 20/30 plan in 2015 as to the future design, scope of services, and infrastructure upgrades for long-term sustainability of the installation. The Plan was completed by HB&A which identified;
- A secondary railway line as a Top 2 Critical aspect of the installation's operational and deployment efficiency
- Gate 19 upgrades where necessary for transportation congestion impacts and base accessibility
- HDR Engineering to release Fort Carson Wilderness Plateau Area Development Plan (rev. Summer 2018)
Fort Carson represents the second largest employer in the State of Colorado; 30,303 EE.
In 2016, the regional consultant team released a The Proof of Concept report , which identified the following:
In spring 2018, a Memorandium of Understanding (MOU) was signed to signify the cohesiveness among the primary parties of the project, which includes:
The MOU provides for dedicated funding to move forth with secondary due-diligence phase, which embodies a Feasibility Study and Site Certification; slated as a mid 2019 deliverable. The MOU also symbolizes the initial steps towards the formation of a Public/Private Partnership Authority board for the project's long-range scope, decisions and deliverables; similar to the Denver Union Station Model depicted below.
- Topography Grade meets criteria for railway infrastructure
- Ray Nixon Power Plant railway loop identified as feasible to develop a spur into the park (Conditional Support Letter by CSU)
- Private Industrial Users are allowable and complimentary operations to abut Ft. Carson Army base
- Dual Serviceability is critical to maintain a competitive pricing model for end users (BNSF/UP issued a Joint Service Corridor Statement, as of Winter 2017)
In spring 2018, a Memorandium of Understanding (MOU) was signed to signify the cohesiveness among the primary parties of the project, which includes:
- Edw. C. Levy Co. (primary land owner; Schmidt Pit)
- City of Fountain (primary land owner; LaFarge Pit)
- El Paso County
- Colorado Springs Utilities (City of Colorado Springs)
- Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
The MOU provides for dedicated funding to move forth with secondary due-diligence phase, which embodies a Feasibility Study and Site Certification; slated as a mid 2019 deliverable. The MOU also symbolizes the initial steps towards the formation of a Public/Private Partnership Authority board for the project's long-range scope, decisions and deliverables; similar to the Denver Union Station Model depicted below.
Current day activity, includes engineering design, economic and workforce analysis, environmental and traffic studies, and alternative-funding initiatives from the following entities:
- Burlington Northern Southern Railway (BNSF)
- Union Pacific Railway (UP)
- Fort Carson Public Works Division (4.27.18)
- Fountain Urban Renewal Authority
- Fountain Utilities (site infrastructure)
- Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC
- Colorado Springs Utilities
- HDR, Inc. Engineering
- Norris Design & Engineering
- Pikes Peak Area Council of Government (2017/2018 Railway Transportation Plan)
- State of Colorado OEDIT Division
2017 Governor Hickenlooper signing of HB 17-1054;
with the City of Fountain and Colorado Springs EDC representation
State of Colorado Legislature has passed two House Bills that directly support the project:
- HB 15-1262 - allows for the formation of a Public/Private Partnership Authority
- HB 17-1054 - encourages collaboration between local municipalities and military installations for shared-services and increase cost efficiencies
Media:
- Governments Exploring Industrial Rail Park in Southern El Paso County - article by The Gazette 5.6.2018
- El Paso County Press Release on Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of Industrial Rail Project - (5.3.18)
- Needed: Industry park, more manufacturers - editorial by Colorado Springs Business Journal 8.17.17
- El Paso County Explores Industrial Rail Park- article by Colorado Springs Business Journal 8.11.17
Contact Us:
Kimberly Bailey, Fountain Urban Renewal Authority/City of Fountain
719-322-2056 or kbailey@fountaincolorado.org
Tammy Fields, Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC
719-471-8183 or tfields@cscedc.com
Gary Barber, Project Consultant/Analyst
719-660-0948 or gary@hydrosw.com
Kimberly Bailey, Fountain Urban Renewal Authority/City of Fountain
719-322-2056 or kbailey@fountaincolorado.org
Tammy Fields, Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC
719-471-8183 or tfields@cscedc.com
Gary Barber, Project Consultant/Analyst
719-660-0948 or gary@hydrosw.com