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DDA hears TAVA construction update, America's Mountain Festival plans; board seeks to assist old Voss "Martini Hut" building owner
Summary
A TAVA project representative reported that crews finished the east wall and will next build the elevator tower and staircase, with base plumbing planned in April; the board also discussed the America's Mountain Festival site work and outreach to the owner of the downtown building known as the Martini Hut.
WOODLAND PARK — Members of the Woodland Park Downtown Development Authority received a construction update on the TAVA/Woodland Station project and heard that grading work connected to the America's Mountain Festival is underway; the board also discussed outreach to the owner of the downtown property commonly called the Martini Hut (the former Voss building).
A TAVA project representative told the board crews have finished the building’s east wall and that the next work will be the elevator tower and staircase, with base plumbing planned to start in April. The preliminary plat for the site is being revised and staff expects the amended plat to go before the planning commission in April and to city council for final plat approval in May.
On the festival, staff said grading permits for site work have been secured and that the event organizer has submitted event permits to the city; some law-enforcement and safety meetings related to the event—scheduled for July 5—were still in process. The festival organizer has posted a website and is selling tickets, staff said.
Board members and planning staff discussed permit timing and whether exterior cosmetic work in the DDA area will require regional building or zoning reviews. A planning-department representative said many routine, exterior cosmetic improvements are unlikely to trigger a Pikes Peak Regional Building Department permit, but they may require an internal zoning or aesthetic review and the Historic Preservation Committee may provide guidance for historically sensitive structures.
During the chair’s report, board members described recent neighborhood concern about the downtown commercial property referred to as the Martini Hut (the old Voss building). The owner told board members he has faced financial and personal difficulties, including a contractor dispute and family losses, and said he is open to options for the building and to applying for the DDA microgrant program. Board members said they want to stay in contact with the owner and offer assistance, though they also emphasized the owner must follow up on communications and engage with the board and staff.
Planning staff and board members said they will try to help the owner connect with contractors and the grant program; no formal action was taken. Board members also agreed the DDA should continue outreach on festival permitting and TAVA construction timelines to avoid compressing the summer work window.
Ending: City staff will continue to coordinate permitting and outreach; the board will monitor TAVA progress and follow up with the Martini Hut owner about potential grant or rehabilitation options.
