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CMU presents revised Lincoln Park stadium plan; university seeks long-term lease of historic barn
Summary
Colorado Mesa University presented a revised concept for a football facility at Lincoln Park that preserves the barn’s exterior while proposing exclusive interior use under a long-term lease; city staff and council directed staff to continue negotiations and seek terms that protect community uses and historic character.
Colorado Mesa University presented an updated concept to the Grand Junction City Council on Dec. 15 that would add new stadium square footage at Lincoln Park while preserving the historic barn’s exterior, but would give CMU exclusive interior use under a long-term lease rather than a city-run rental model.
President Marshall, speaking for CMU, framed the project as a partnership intended to advance student experience and local economic development while protecting elements the community values. “We used that feedback as an opportunity to just kind of go back to the drawing board,” he said, describing a design that wraps new construction around the track and retains the existing grandstand footprint. He added candidly that the drawings are conceptual: “I’m not entirely sure we can afford what’s up on this page.”
City staff said the concept would require a ground lease for new construction and a separate lease for the barn. Mike (city staff) and Marshall clarified the university was not proposing a purchase (“We can’t buy it without the voters”), but would pursue a long-term lease and contribute capital investments and operating payments. Staff also told council that CMU had been contributing toward stadium-related bond repayments and that CMU previously committed to approximately $200,000 per year toward bond repayment arrangements.
Council members pressed on public access and historic preservation. Several members and the council liaison asked staff to catalogue historic barn programming and to confirm whether comparable community activities could move to the new community recreation center. Marshall and staff said many recurring uses could be relocated, and that CMU’s proposal would preserve the barn’s exterior while enabling university operations inside. Staff reiterated that no contract has been signed and any lease or terms would return to council for formal approval.
The workshop ended with staff asking for direction to continue staff-to-staff negotiations with CMU under the new concept. Councilmembers expressed general consensus for continued talks with the instruction that city staff ensure preservation of the barn’s character and clarify community rental capacity before any final decision.
Next steps: staff will continue negotiations with CMU, compile historical rental/use data for the barn and community rec center capacity, and return to council before any lease or ordinance is finalized.
