STEAMBOAT BASE AREA REDEVELOPMENT


JUNE 27, 2006



Development Framework Plan 
PROJECT OVERVIEW 

With the recent adoption of the City of Steamboat Springs Mountain Town Sub-
Area Plan Update and the Mountain Base Area Design Standards in 2005, the 
mountain base area is poised for significant reinvestment and redevelopment. 
Already numerous redevelopment projects are under proposal including One 
Steamboat Place, Wildhorse Meadows, and Montenero At Steamboat Springs. 

An Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the City Council, has been formed to 
guide this important effort supported by an Advisory Committee (URAAC) 
comprised of property and business owners, members of the development 
community, the ski corporation, ex officio members (City Council, Planning 
Commission), and community at large members. The URAAC along with City Staff 
serves to assist the URA by participating in the planning and design process. At 
key intervals URAAC will provide recommendations to the URA for formal 
consideration. 

This study is centered around further development of specific priorities identified 
by both the Mountain Town Sub-Area Plan Update and the Mountain Base Area 
Design Standards and will focus upon the following key areas: 

. 
Burgess Creek day lighting and base area promenade 
. 
Signage and way finding improvements 
. 
Mount Werner Road and Circle streetscape and 

landscape improvements 
. 
Streetscape and urban design pattern book 
. 
Snowmelt system analysis and master plan 
. 
Infrastructure and utilities survey 

The intent of this effort is not only to further develop approaches to the elements 
outlined above, but also to consider an implementation timeline for URA funded 
projects. 

Approaches outlined in this documents are conceptual, but should be used as a 
basis for more detailed planning and design of URA related improvements. 

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Project Overview 
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MASTER PLAN ELEMENTS 

. 
MT. WERNER ROAD 
AND CIRCLE 
Streetscape and Landscape 
Improvements 

. 
WAYFINDING AND SIGNAGE 

MASTER PLAN 
Mount Werner Road and Circle; 
Mountain Base Area 

. 
BASE AREA PROMENADE & 
BURGESS CREEK DAY-LIGHTING 

. 
STREETSCAPE AND URBAN 
DESIGN PATTERN BOOK 

Master Plan Elements 
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Character 
Mount Werner Road - view before 
DESIGN INTENT 

The design approach for Mount Werner Road and 
Circle draws from the strong ranch and landscape 
elements found throughout the valley. A simple 
vocabulary of ranch elements combined with 
selected landscape materials combine to form a 
strong way finding pattern to orient visitors and 
residents and offer an authentic experience. 

Ranch patterns include ranch fencing, a signature 
barn (way finding element) at the ’Knoll’ open 
space, and signage and way finding elements 
indicative of simple ranch technologies (refer to way 
finding and signage section for additional 
information). 

Landscape patterns are intended to reflect the 
sequence commonly found in the region, 
acknowledging the differences of the lowland and 
upland valley landscapes. 

The lowland valley is dominated by cottonwoods, 
field grasses, wildflowers, red twig dogwoods, 
willows, and yellow roses, which were brought to 
the valley by early settlers. Fencerows serve to 
organize the landscape elements. 

The upland valley is dominated by drifts of scrub 
oaks, continued use of cottonwood transitioning to 
quaking aspens and spruce-fir forest patterns when 
climbing out of the valley. The evergreen species 
shall be planted in a manner not to cast excessive 
shadows onto the roadways. Field grasses, 
wildflowers, and the lowland valley shrub materials 
will continue used as understory elements. 

Throughout the arrival experience, specific 
viewpoints are framed and celebrated of both the 
mountain and valley visible from both vehicular and 
pedestrian connections. Periodic pedestrian 
oriented gathering spaces allowing for relaxing and 
gathering punctuate the path connecting the valley 
and mountain. Proposed developments are 
encouraged to provide pedestrian connections to 
encourage activity along the corridor. 

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Mt. werner Road and circle 
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View of base area - before 
Summer Character 
DESIGN INTENT 

The promenade design and the day lighting 
of Burgess Creek represent a tremendous 
opportunity to enhance year round activities 
around the base area while addressing 
many circulation challenges found 
throughout the base area. 

The proposed promenade provides an 
important pedestrian connection extending 
the entire length of the base area from the 
south at One Steamboat Place and 
Ptarmigan Inn to the north at Thunderhead 
Lodge and Christie Club. The promenade 
engages existing base areas plazas at 
Gondola Square and Torian Plum and 
facilitates new plazas at North Portal, One 
Steamboat Place and numerous other 
potential redevelopment sites such as Christie 
Turnaround and Thunderhead Lodge. 

Specific activity enhancing elements 
indicated as part of the promenade include: 
. 
Seasonal area playground area at South 

Face Park (summer) while serving as 
children’s ski school meeting area in 
winter. 

. 
Expanded seating terraces and gathering 
opportunities at Gondola Sq. Plaza and 
Torian Plum 

. 
New seasonal water feature and/or ice 
rink at the North Portal Plaza 

. 
Pedestrian bridge crossings at Burgess 
Creek introducing year round creek flow 
to specific areas. 

. 
Site amenities along promenade including 
warming areas, seating, signage, 
lighting, public art components 

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Promenade and Burgess Creek Master Plan: Summer 
The day lighting of Burgess Creek offers the 
added attraction of a seasonal water 
element to the base area to encourage 
summer activity. The creek would be 
controlled to provide seasonal summer flows 
and, during winter, flows would be diverted 
into a culvert as to not adversely affect ski 
area operations. 

Specific elements of the Burgess Creek 
design approach include: 
. 
Stone seating terraces and gathering 

areas along the creek. 

. 
Large activity lawn areas capable to 
support everyday gathering and larger 
programmed events and activities such 
as concerts and markets. 

. 
Outdoor amphitheater for music and arts 
opportunities. 

. 
Improved bicycle trail connections with a 
seasonal bicycle trail connection along 
the creek. 

. 
Seasonal bridge crossings at locations 
along Burgess Creek 

. 
Repositioning of the Preview Lift to allow 
greater flexibility for use and the creek 
routing. 

Promenade and Burgess Creek 
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Winter Character 
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Promenade and Ski Yard Master Plan: Winter 
WINTER USES 

In winter, the creek is seasonally diverted 
and buried by snow to allow for ski area 
operations. The promenade serves as a 
critical interface to the ski yard providing a 
clear separation between pedestrians and 
skiers/snowboarders while providing a safe 
connection between the north and south 
areas of the ski base. Improved gathering 
opportunities and seating areas along with 
activity enhancing elements such as ice rinks 
and warming hearths add to the day and 
evening excitement. 

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Promenade and Burgess Creek 
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Wayfinding Elements 
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