Centerra just got a lot more connected … and interconnected
Whether you’re commuting along I-25 or just wanting to bop over to the other side of Centerra, your travels are now a lot more convenient thanks to the completion of two major projects, supported in part by the Centerra Metropolitan District.
Centerra Loveland Station
The plan has been in the works for years. A series of mobility hubs that allows Bustang riders to travel from Ft. Collins all the way down I-25 to Colorado Springs, with stops in key locations along the route. One of those stops is the newly opened Loveland Centerra Station.
At the ribbon-cutting for the Centerra Loveland Station, Governor Jarid Polis said this isn’t just about easing commutes for Bustang riders; it’s also an important milestone in the state’s effort to expand mass transit options. The governor extolled the benefits of the unique infrastructure and the public-private partnerships that helped make it a reality.
“With the recent investments in state transit, it’s moving Colorado from 44th in transit funding to 22nd and now it’s time to deliver,” he said. “The mobility hubs are a key part of delivering on that future of more affordable and convenient living in our state. I’m so proud to get the chance to showcase what we’re doing, along with the support of historic federal funding.”
Around 100 people gathered for the ribbon-cutting, including state legislators Janice Marchman, Kathy Kipp and Andrew Boeseneker, Loveland Mayor Pro-Tem Jon Mallo and Larimer County Commissioners Jody Shadduck-McNally and Kristin Stevens. There were also representatives from CDOT, Loveland transit (COLT), Loveland Public Works and the Centerra Metropolitan District, which spearheaded infrastructure improvements in and around the hub.
Also attending was U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg, who praised the collaboration between her department and Colorado. She said the U.S. DOT has invested more than $860 million in the I-25 project. Taking a more local view was Mallo, who spoke about how much easier the new hub makes his frequent trips to Denver. He went on to say that the extension of Kendall Parkway to the hub and the new 200-space parking lot serving it has made “much easier” to access Bustang.
Speaking for the other half of the private-public partnership was Kim Perry, vice president at McWhinney and president of the Centerra metro district, who called the Loveland hub a “labor of love.” She explained that since 2016 the district has invested more than $11 million in road and bridge construction adjacent to the hub as well as upgraded lighting and finishes for it.
“These projects are a great example of the power of collaboration between public and private partners working towards smart growth and a shared vision,” she said.
Kendall Parkway pass-through
East meets west at last. In early October, the Kendall Parkway pass-through — funded entirely by the Centerra Metro District — officially opened. And suddenly it was possible to hop onto your bike, into your car, or into your favorite running shoes and zip easily and safely right under I-25 to the other side of Centerra.
It seems like such a simple thing, but the complexities of tunneling beneath Colorado’s most heavily trafficked north-south highway were vast. And now you can bike from Kinston to do a little shopping in Centerra Marketplace. Or hike from The Lakes to a concert in Chapungu Sculpture Park.
Connection. It’s a good thing.
