Handout - City Council Study Session January 30, 2007 - Update on Disposition of Valmont Butte PropeBOULDER CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
JANUARY 30, 2007
UPDATE ON DISPOSITION OF VALONT BUTTE PROPERTY AND ASSOCIATED
ISSUES
6PM
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1777 BROADWAY
NOTE: PUBLIC WRITTEN COMMENT TO CITY COUNCIL 1777 BROADWAY, SECOND FLOOR, OR P.O. BOX 791. 80306 OR
FAX 303-441-4478 ATTN: ALISA LEWIS, OR E-MAIL COUNCIL@CI.BOULDER CO US
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Members of Council
FROM: Frank W. Bruno, City Manager
Ariel Calonne, City Attorney
Kevin Burke, Deputy City Manager
Stephanie Grainger, Deputy City Manager
Bob Eichem, Finance Director
Maureen Rait, Director of Pubiic Works for Development and Support Services
Bill Boyes, Facilities and Fleet Manager
Doug Newcomb, Property Agent, Open Space and Mountain Parks
Frank Young, Deputy Fire Chief
James Hewat, Historic Preservation Planner
DATE: January 19, 2007
SUBJECT: Study Session - January 30; 2007
Update on Disposition of Valmont Butte Property and Associated Issues
I. PURPOSE
To update City Council on the status of negotiations with Trust for Public Lands (TPL) regarding
the sale of Valmont Butte and on the issues associated with the remediation and ongoing
maintenance of the property.
II. QUESTIONS FOR COUNCIL:
1. What questions does Council have regarding the information presented?
2. Based on the information provided by TPL, does Council want staff to proceed with a
purchase option with TPL?
3. Does Council want staff to pursue the option of a working "green" mill at the site?
4. If not, does Council have other uses it would like staff to consider for the property?
5. Does Council want staff to consider other potential buyers?
6. Does Council want the historic mill and surrounding buildings to be included in the sale of
the property?
7. Does Council want staff to pursue local landmarking and State and/or National Historic
Register designation for the mill and surrounding building prior to the sale of the property?
8. Does Council want to consider the sale of the entire property or is Council interested in
retaining any portion of the site for future city use?
III. BACKGROUND
Citv's Purchase
The city purchased the 101 acre Valmont Butte property from the Valmont Butte Corporation on
September 5, 2000 for $2,575,000. The purchase money came from three city funds: Open Space
and Mountain Parks (OSMP), Public Works/Utilities and the General Fund. The administration of
the property and the acreage amounts are shown below.
This depiction of the Valmont Butte property was made at the time of purchase for administrative
purposes. The boundaries were considered approximate boundaries. No survey or subdivision of
the property has occurred during the city's ownership. Since TPL does not want to purchase the
OSMP portion of the property, because it is already preserved, a subdivision process or a
subdivision exemption by Boulder County would be necessary to divide the property before a sale
can be completed.
Februarv 21. 2006 Council Action
On this date City Council considered two proposed alternati~e sites for the proposed Fire Training
Center (FTC); the agenda item can be found at:
http://www.bouldercolorado.qov/files/Clerk/Aqendas/2006/022106/5B.pdf
City Council approved construction of the FTC on the Wells site located near the Boulder Reservoir
property that was purchased in the 1950's by the Utilities Fund.
The City Attorney advised that since both the Utility Fund and the General Fund were used for the
purchase of the Valmont Butte property, these funds should be reimbursed if the property is not
going to be used for utility or general fund purposes. Additionally, it was determined that the
Utilities Fund should be reimbursed for the value of the property it owns at the Boulder Reservoir
that will house the FTC site. At the February 21 st Council meeting, staff was directed to sell the
entire Valmont Butte property and recover the purchase money, in particular the $1,000,000 from
the General Fund (that could possibly be used for the Fire Training Center on the Wells site). Staff
also was directed to "work with the Trust for Public Lands and the Valmont Butte Heritage Alliance
(VBHA) and other interested parties to purchase the Valmont site."
Representatives of TPL were in attendance at the Council meeting and expressed their intention to
purchase the Valmont Butte property as part of their new Indian Lands Program. The program is
designed to purchase properties that have cultural significance to American Indians and then
return those lands to the tribes. TPL's proposal was to obtain an option to purchase the entire
Valmont Butte property and then pursue a fund raising effort. TPL plans to be an interim owner
only, ultimately transferring ownership of the Valmont Butte properry to interested Indian tribes or
organizations. TPL's mission is to conserve land for people. Its website, www.TPL.orq provides
more information about the organization.
Valmont Butte Saleable Acreacte
The Valmont Butte property was 101 acres when purchased. The acreage available for sale is
considerably less. A portion of the Valmont Butte property is located at the intersection of Vaimont
Road and Butte Mill Road near the entrance to Western Disposal. On November 9, 2004, Council
authorized the sale of about two acres to Boulder County to accommodate safety improvements
that have been completed at that intersection. The remaining acreage there has only nominal
market value.
Two parts of the main body of the property are also excluded from this estimate of saleable
acreage. Not considered available for sale is the 27 acre OSMP portion of the Valmont Butte
properry. Additionally, a half acre area around an existing microwave antennae facility is under
study by staff for possible exclusion.
The Utilities/Wastewater Fund paid $1.3 million for 36 acres, the General Fund paid $1.0 million for
38 acres, and OSMP paid $300,000 from the Open Space Fund for 27 acres. The General Fund
and the Publio Works/Utilities portion of the property total 74 acres and cost $2.3 million.
Excluding the land areas identified above, the best estimate of the Valmont Butte's saleable area is
71 acres including the Valmont Mill. "
Valmont Butte Site Remediation
The city is pursuing remediation for the Valmont Butte site per the covenant agreement between
the city and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The site
remediation plan approved by CDPHE involves three phases of work that are being managed by
Facilities and Asset Management (FAM). Phase 1 work has been completed at an approximate
cost of $170,000. Phases II and III invoive capping the tailings ponds which requires removal of
the prairie dogs that are currently residing in that area. Staff will follow the city's Urban Wildlife
Management Plan (UWMP) and city ordinance protocol (the "six steps") in determining the removal
method of the prairie dogs. This means that the city would first try to relocate the prairie dogs, but
if no state-certified site is available lethal control wouid then be used. The following is more
specific information about each phase of the work:
Phasel: Remove hazardous materials located outside the tailings ponds in the form of
storage drums, PCB transformers, contaminated and radioactive soiis and other
miscellaneous items. Staff contracted with Terracon to develop a scope of work for the
removal of the materials and to monitor the waste removal done by an environmental waste
management contractor. A specific health and safety plan was required for this phase of
the project. It is planned that radioactive and contaminated soils located outside the tailing
pond areas will be moved to the primary tailing pond area and will be covered as part of the
cap restoration work. Specifications for this work are available for public viewing at the
reference desk of the Boulder Public Library under "Public Review," 1000 Canyon
Boulevard. The name of the publication is: City of Boulder Hazardous and Indusirial Waste
Removal and Disposal, Valmont Butte/Allied Piles Site, Boulder, Colorado, Specifications.
Phase 2: Inventory, sample and remove approximately 300+ prairie dogs from the primary
and secondary tailings ponds areas as required by the covenant agreement with CDPHE
(Note: This estimate is based on a March 2006 inventory conducted by Roe Environmental
Services. The actual number of prairie dogs that may be impacted may fluctuate by the
time the actual work takes place; at one point the number of prairie dogs on the cap was
estimated to be closer to 700). In addition, a barrier to prevent prairie dogs and other
burrowing animals from entering the area will be constructed. The city has contracted with
Roe Ecological Services to assist in this effort. The cost of this phase of work will depend
on the method of prairie dog removal that is undertaken. Estimated cost for this phase is
$190,000 -$240,000 (depending on whether prairie dogs are relocated or lethally
controlled.
Phase 3: After the prairie dogs are removed and the barrier is constructed, move
contaminated and radioactive soils located outside the tailings ponds area to the ponds and
restore the cap. The tailing ponds were originally covered by a cap consisting of a layer of
inert clean fill material. This cap has eroded and has been disturbed by prairie dogs and
needs to be restored. Estimated cost for this phase is $440,000.
Prairie Doq Manaqement Options
In January and February 2006, tissue samples were coliected from Valmont Butte prairie dogs and
soil samples were taken from the area. The samples were tested to find out if the prairie dogs
carried harmful levels of uranium, arsenic and lead in their pelts and internal organs from
burrowing in and around the tailings ponds. The concern was that if relocated, the prairie dogs may
create health problems in the food chain.
The contaminant levels tound in the soil samples and in the soil found in the prairie dog pelts were
elevated, as anticipated. The city's tests of soil samples and radiation levels were consistent with
the EPA's 2005 soil testing. However, the tests on internal prairie dog tissues (liver and muscle
tissue) found that the levels of these substances were minitnal within the prairie dogs themselves.
The prairie dogs were deemed safe for the food chain, and the CDPHE has authorized off-site
relocation if relocation sites are available.
The prairie dogs must be removed from the tailings ponds areas and a barrier to prevent their
return must be in place before the majority of remediation on the site can occur. The city will follow
the city's Urban Wildlife Management Plan (tJWMP) and city ordinance protocol (the "six steps") in
determining the removal method of the prairie dogs i.e., relocation is the preferred alternative. The
prairie dog removal process is expected to commence in June 2007.
All reasonable efforts to relocate the prairie dogs will be explored (including potentially relocating
some of the prairie dogs on site). If a state-certified relocation site is found, the city wili relocate all
of the prairie dogs. Prior to removing the prairie dogs, the city will provide a public announcement
of its removal plans and solicit information on potential relocation receiving sites. Staff has notified
Keep Boulder Wild of the potential need for relocation sites. If inembers of the pub4ic have state-
certified relocation sites to offer, they may submit information about the name, location and
property owner to Bill Boyes at bovesb@bouldercolorado.qov up until May 1, 2007. The city,
however, welcomes and encourages input on potential receiving sites at any time and as early as
possible to help avoid the potential future use of lethal control at the site.
Desiqnation of Historic Resources at the Valmont Butte
A 2001 Historic Resource survey of the Valmont Butte site determined that that a number of
resources on the property are efigible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. These
include the main flotation mill building and adjacent water pump house. The flotation miil at
Valmont is recognized as being one of only several still in existence in the United States. The site
is also eligibie for listing in the State Register of Historic Places and as a local (county) landmark.
Policy 2.34 Leadership in Historic Preservation: City and County Owned Resources, of the Boulder
Valley Comprehensive Plan states that, "The city and county will evaluate their publicly owned
properties to determine their historic, architectural archaeological or cultural significance. Eligible
resources will be protected through Iqcal designation. Secondary buildings that are part and
convey the cultural significance of a site ... should be retained/preserved as well".
Recent Condition Assessment and Historic Assessment of the Mill Site
Hansen/Handley & Associates completed a preliminary condition assessment of the mill site this
past fall (see Attachment A). The assessment focused on the two structures determined to be
eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Specific facilities include: the
Valmont Mill including the Ore Mixing Bin, and the southernmost Pump House with the Water
Clock. In addition, the report also evaluated the water reservoir. The condition of these facilities is
summarized in an excerpt from the report:
`The Valmont MiFI's structure is in remarkably good condition considering that it has not
had a weather-tight shell for many years. There are ihree areas that need attention for
basic stabilization: the leaking roof, the bowed area of ihe east wall, plus wall and window
covering to keep out weather and vandals."
Hansen/Handley & Associates provided cost estimates for the work necessary to stabilize these
facilities. The estimated cost to complete the most critical work to stabilize the Valmont Mill and
the Ore Mixing Bin is $106,000. The work includes repairing the roof and siding, replacing rotted
framing, grading soils around the exterior to provide drainage away from structures and providing
additional roof framing. This work is considered first prioriry. Additional stabilization work on the
ancillary structures is second priority with an estimated additional cost of $29,300. Total
stabilization costs are estimated at $135,300. _
The consultant also identified in the report the following three options for potential use of Valmont
Mill: 1) stabilizing the buildings as a short term solution; 2) using the mill as an operating mill; and
3) turning the mill into artist studios.
The following map identifies the buildings eligible for historic designation.
~
IV. ISSUES:
The Valmont Butte Proqertv Sale
The saleable portion of the Valmont Butte property is approximately 71 acres including the historic
Valmont Mill. The historic value of the floatation mill was recognized during the Community
Environmental Assessment Process (CEAP). The future of the mill and its possible preservation
have complicated the sale of the property
Including the Valmont Mill area in a purchase agreement would mean any preservation of the mill
would be worked out with TPL (or another party) as the owner or contract purchaser. Buying land
to preserve mining history is within TPL's mission and it has had successful experiences doing so.
It is reasonable to expect satisfactory arrangements could be made. Including the mill area in a
sale (not having to take steps to legally exclude the mill area) reduces land survey and subdivision
costs by about $2,000. Including the mill area in a sale to a party committed to the preservation of
the mill, would provide more time to determine the scope of the mill's preservation.
Not including the Valmont Mill area in a sale requires a determination of the boundary of the area
to be excluded from the sale. The boundary could be determined after a contract is made but must
be finally determined and legally described before a sale can be completed. If not sold, then the
city retains ownership of the miil area and the many buildings that are in need of attention. The mill
area alone has little market value if it cannot be used or modified. So, excluding it from the sale of
the properry may mean selling it for much less per acre than the main body of the property.
A possible strategy is to negotiate a contract for sale of the property with a eondition for the
optional inclusion or exclusion of the Valmont Mill to be determined later before closing. The
property could be appraised with and without the mill area. Another possibility is to contract for a
sale of the entire properry with sufficient conditians about the future of the mill. Also, the Valmont
Mill area could be leased to another party instead of selling it.
Current Prooosal for Use
The community has recognized and responded to the possible sale of Valmont Butte and to the
possible purchase by TPL. The most active parties include Historic Boulder, the Valmont Butte
Heritage Alliance (VBHA), Rural Historic Valmont, the Valmont Cemetery, Indian tribes and
associated organizations, TPL, the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) and Calais
Resourceslfom Hendricks. Representatives of these groups have been invited to the study
session to be avaiiable for questions.
VBHA and NARF are involved with TPL and have participated in the development of a nearly
drafted agreement granting TPL an option to purchase Valmont Butte. VBHA is a 501(3)c
corporation. Its board includes representatives of Indian tribes, the Valmont Cemetery and
Valmont area residents. NARF and other organizations such as the Colorado Commission on
Indian Affairs are monitoring the progress of this potential transaction.
City staff and TPL have agreed on nearly all the language of an agreement granting TPL an option
to purchase the Valmont Butte property at a price to be negotiated after the property is appraised.
Other than further legal review, the most significant open issue is whether to include the mill area
in the sale of the property. This decision may impact the preservation of the Valmont Mili.
7
Proposal to Oqerate the Miil
Tom Hendricks and Dave Young with Calais Resources currently mine gold ore in Boulde"r County
near Caribou. On December 5, 2006, Calais met with members of Historic Boulder and city staff to
present how "a respectable green milling operation" at the Valmont Mill could promote the
preservation of the historic mill. At that time, Calais offered to spend $1,000,000 on the Valmont
Mill to make it operational if it could mill approximately 100 tons of ore per day (four truck loads) at
the restored mill. Calais proposes to use only organic chemicals such as water and pine oil. A two
to five acre tailings pond would be required. All tailings would be returned (trucked) to Calais'
Caribou mine. Based on staff's understanding of the County zoning for this property and the prior
use of the property for milling, Calais' proposed use would conform to the zoning. However, Calais
just recently advised staff that due to concerns the community might have about the proposed use,
it is now undecided about pursuing its proposal pending further study.
Historic Boulder has been involved in the discussion of this proposal and has indicated its support
for the preservation of the Valmont Mill. This support is expressed in a resolution found in
Attachment B.
Not reopening the Valmont Mill would eliminate one method to fund preservation of the mill. No
other funding methods have been identified for the preservation of the mill at this time, but staff has
not actively sought out options/proposals for other types of mill preservation. Staff did investigate
with the state potential grants for ongoing stabilization and maintenance of the facilities if they are
landmarked. The mill buildings are in need of repair now to keep the weather out and to prevent
any further structural and safety problems. Who does this work, and how it is funded, will be
determined based on Council's direction on how to proceed with the sale of this property. The city
does not have funding for the stabilization of the mill.
Either purchasing the mill area or not purchasing the mill area has been acceptable to TPL. TPL
was amenable to the proposed limited reopening of the mill to advance its preservation. TPL has
been involved with successful projects preserving mining history. It is unknown how or if TPL
would preserve the mili if it is included in the sale. Staff is seeking clarification from City Council on
whether it should include or not include the Valmont Miil in the sale to TPL or another buyer and
whether a limited reopening of the mill (with preservation of the mill) might be acceptable and worth
investigating further.
Future Use of the Land
According to the City Attorney, the city could sell the land subject to use restrictive covenants.
These covenants would be intended to assure that future land uses preserve the character of the
property. Commercial uses, including gaming, would be prohibited.
There is some legal question as to the enforceability of restrictive covenants against property held
by Indian tribes. Indian lands acquired and held in trust by the federal government are probably
not subject to prior restrictive use covenants. While this scenario is not anticipated, Council should
be aware of the issue.
There may 6e other 6uyers that would be interested in purchasi~g the Valmont Butte property if the
city would allow more agricultural or industrial uses on the property. Although Council directed
staff at its February 21, 2006 meeting to consider other "interested parties," staff has been
somewhat reluctant to seek out or negotiate with other potentiai buyers. This is because staff took
from the feedback and direction it received from Council to immediately begin negotiations with
TPL that it is Council's over-arching goal to have the future use of Valmont Butte stay compatible
with what is currently there (i.e., no existing operational use).
The Valmont Butte property is zoned General Industrial by Boulder County (see the zoning map
below). Land Use code Article 4-100 Zoning Districts identifies the following permitted uses in
General Industrial districts:
Agricultural uses, 4 anima! unrts per acre, agricultural business uses, indoor and outdoor
recreation, professiona! office and industrral uses such as mining uses, carpentry,
machine and building contracting shops, warehouses, recycling, oufdoor storage and
product storage.
Prior uses of the properry include ore milling, luxury log home production, construction offices,
material storage and other uses consistent with the zoning.
If Council is interested in considering other uses beyond those proposed by TPL, staff would like
Council to consider future use of the land by the city for potential renewable energy projects or for
other city needs.
Questions for Council:
• Based on the information provided by TPL, does Council want staff to proceed with a
purchase option with TPL?
• Does Council want staff to pursue the option of a working "green" mill at the site?
• If not, does Council have other uses it would like staff to consider for the property?
• Does Council want staff to consider other potential buyers?
Stabilization and Historic Siqnificance Designation of Mill Structures
If the city wants to stabilize the historic mill and its ancillary structures, the cost would be
approximately $135,300. Up to 75% of these costs ($101,475) could be provided by the Colorado
State Historic Fund (SHF) through a competitive grant application process. In order to be eligible
to apply for a SHF grant, the Valmont Mill site would need to be listed in the state and/or National
Registers of Historic Places. If grant funds were secured through the SHF, the city's 25% share of
the costs to stabilize the facilities would then be approximately $33,825. The costs associated with
stabilization are expected to increase by approximately 5% per year based on the recent annual
increases in the construction costs. The cost to maintain these structures on an ongoing basis is
estimated to be between $10,000 and $20,000 per year.
If Council elects to exclude the Valmont Mill and ancillary structures from sale, then it would be
beneficial if a long-term sponsor could be found for these structures. If Council elects to sell the
entire Vaimont property, less the portion owned by OSMP, including the Valmont Mill, the new
owner's permission wouid be required to landmark the Valmont Mill and ancillary facilities.
Questions for Council:
• Does Council want the historic mill and surrounding buildings to be included in the sale of
the property?
• Does Council want staff to pursue local landmarking and State and/or National Nistoric
Register designation for the mill and surrounding buildings prior to sale of the property?
Remediation and Prairie Do4 Manaqement
The budgeted amount for the remediation of the site is $850,000. Approximately $170,000 of this
amount has been spent in removing the hazardous waste from the site. The remaining Phase II
and Phase III work to be done at the site will cost approximately $630,000 -$680,000 depending
on whether prairie dogs are relocated or tethally controlled. Lethai controt of the prairie dogs is
less expensive than relocation but relocation is the preferred alternative.
Cost Analvsis:
As was discussed earlier, the entire Valmont Butte property was purchased for $2,575,000. The
purchase price for the 74 acres (that are now being considered as available for sale) was $2.3
million. The costs to remediate the site to-date are $170,000 and the costs to cap the tailings
ponds will be an additionaf $630,000 -$680,000 (depending on whether prairie dogs are relocated
or lethally controlled). The total anticipated cost of the property to the city range between
3,375,000 -$3,425,000. The table below outlines this information in tabular form:
ITEM COST
Original $2,575,000
Purchase
Remediation to- $170,000
date
Future $630,000 -
Remediation $680,000
Total Costs: $3,375,000 -
$3,425,000*
Potential Dependent on
Purchase Price a raisal
' Not included in these costs are the potential stabilization expenses for the Historic Mill of $135,300 including: $106,000
for the Historic Mill; $29,300 for ancillary facilities.
Based on staff's assessment oS the potential "markei" for this properiy, the city may not recover its
investment in this properry. Therefore, staff wants to check-in with Council to see if there is a
"threshold" amount at which it would like to consider retention of the site for different potential uses.
As was discussed earlier in the memo, if potential different uses or possible annexation of the
properry were to be allowed this most likely would result in a higher purchase price for the property.
And, if this is the case, staff would like Councii to consider potential city uses on the site.
Question for Council:
• Does Council want to proceed with the sale of the entire property or is Council interested in
retaining any portion of the site for future city use?
10
V. CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS
Based on the feedback received by Council at the study session, staff will return to a regular
Council business meeting to present options for proceeding and to ask Council for formal direction
on these issues.
Attachments:
Attachment A- Hansen/Handley & Associates Report
Attachment B- Resolution from Historic Boulder
11
ATTACHMENT A
NANSEN/HANEILEY &A~50ClATES, A.RCNITECTS
VALMON3 MILL ST,461l.IZl~TION
The Valmont Mill's structure is in remarkably good,condftioh copsidering that it has not
had a weather-tight shell for many years. Ther= are three areas that nzed a}tention for
basic stabil¢ation: the leaking roof, ihe bowed area of the east wall, plus wall and wi~-
dow covering to keep out weather and vandals..
The work is divided into three priority levels. The first priority wili stabil¢e the mill at this
time. The secc~nd Qriority items stabil¢e the anciliary facilities. Third priority is an alett
about areas that da noYappear to be impading the structural integrity of the building at
this time but may in the future, if ihere is additional movemerrt oi these walls.
15 Prioritv:
replace missi~g roofing, ridge caps, flashing, add cricke±s, repairflashing 76,DOD.
replace missing siding 13;5~0.
seal 23 windows to keep ou~ weather and vandals 4,500.
east wall: 31,200.
restore to ver~caf 2 20±fnot lengths oi foundation wall & wood wal( above
replarz rotted framing members
regrade exterior for posttive drainage away irom building
roof framing:
sister cracked or deflected members of roof struciure
sister cracked or deflected 6eams with intermediate splices ,
install gusset plates below ridge board where rafters have pulled loose
southezst comer. sister 3 cracked roof raflets
30 foot diameter ore mi~:ing 6in:
reroof the missing 1x materiais
instaB drain inside bin to route waier out to west side.
west wall: add vedical supports at roof raftedcollar tie connections
install crickets at roof slope intersections
total
15°1o contingency
1st Priority total
15,OQ0.
5,90D
3, 600.
2 5DD.
92,200.
13.SOD.
106,ODD
! 900 tDLAN MILL ROAO 90UL~ER, COI~RqDO 8~3u] (303) 493-)659
VALMONT MtLL STABILIZP,TION
page 2
~nd Prio ~ :
30 foot diameter ore mixing bin: 2,9D0.
weld funnel to dm on 2 idot crack
patch hole
southemmost pump house: ' 7,60D.
replace'damaged ixB and 1x8 sheathing (1,DD0 ft.)
resitle with tarpaper and Iathe
reroof ' ' '
rep(ace roofs on 3 reservoirs • 15,000.
totaf ~ . . 25,500.
15% contingenc~ 3,800.
2nd Priority total 29 300.
~
3rd Prio' : (no cost)
monitor settlement of east concrete blodc wall with stair sfep crack
monitor interior of soUthwesf conaete wall with several cracks and ef#lorescence
' EiANSENtHANt3LEY & ASSOCfATES, ARC4iVTECTS •
FHREE OFFI~NS FOR USE OF THE VQLMONT Ni1LL
Boultler was founded as a mining supply town shortly after placer gold was tliscovered in
Goitl Run. Nany of Boulder's significant commercial and rBSiden~ial sfructures were built
with money made fram mining and mine[s. But most of this history has been oblitzrated',
e.g. the 6oyd Smeltar is an archeological site, the 5witredand Trail railroad bed is a bil<e
path. The only clear remaining Iink to Bouiders early importanee is the Valmor~ ~iill. It
shouid be preserved. The three options listetl here wi{I achieve that
Option1 the City iust stahil¢inq the buildinq as a short term s~lution , This couid become
a fong term soiution by tuming the building into a milfinglmining museum: For example,
the Boultler History Museum does not want to move into the buiYding,, but has a large
collection of mining artifacts with no space to display them.
• Financial: The cests lisfed under stabilL~ation do not make the building safe for the
public. See the attached "Public Access to Boulder County's Cardinaf Mill° for ways
to minim~e construction costs. The Valmont Miff is saferfor pubGc access than the
Cardinal because Valmont was buift 30 years later and has heen usetl ~ore recantiy.
Ho"wever windows will frave to be replaced, public paths through the building will re-
quire safety improv2m2nts arid controls, and appropria~e accessibility ior the dis-
abled will need to be provided. .
e Educztionai: Tne two milis wo~ld shaw changes in technolagy over time. Acrzss.to
Valmoni is ezsier than t~ Cardinal so Vafmont can be open yvar aeound.
Option 2 usinq the Mill as a mill. Thomas Hendricks, a gold miner in Caribau, milled ore
in the Mill until 1993 and would like to do so again. Hendricks is also uce President of
Calais Resources, inc., an ir~emational mining corporation. This option has several ad-
vantages.
~ Fnanciai: Calais's Soard of ~irectors would like to discuss either purchasing ot {eas-
ing the Mill from the City. Not only would the City receive payment for the prop2rly,
6ut it would not have ta spend money on s+abilizaGon.
• Environme~tal: Hendricks points out that tod2y's milling technology is environmen-
tally advanced; water is recycled; he wants to take tailings back to Caribou to fili
abandoned digs.
> Social: Pete Gleichman, who is working with the Valmont Heriiage Alliance which
includes representatives of the Valmont residenfs, Native Americans, and the Trust
for Public Lands, recommends that selling the M~ill to Hendriehs can be a benefit to
the Aliiance.
e The Valmont Heritage P,iliance does not have the resour~s to preserve fhe ~ill,
yet recognizes that it is an important stn~cture.
THREE OPTIONS FdR USE OF 7k-fE VALMQt~T I~ILL
page 2
• Dividing the property i~to two parcels wflh the Mill end adequate surrounding
space to facilitate its use as one parcel will reduce the cast for the property that is
important to the Alliance.
• The Alliance's long term pian is to build a Native American heritage center on the
property. A working Mill will ~omplement this dispfay of Native American early
history by showing the Gity's heritage. Hendricks poin~ out that during the 17
years he leased the pfoperty i~e wefcomed sharing R wifh the ~lative Americans.
• Educational: Duriny Hendticks,previou~ lease he led tours of the Nlill for sehool chil-
dren. 'H~~votlld like'to d'o so again: Seeing all the steps required to get from a roclc
fo materiat for`mommy's wedding ring.will give these chil8ren a real appreeiafion for
the hard work that was ttre fioundation of Boulder.
C~ation 3, tuminq the Mili into artists' sfudios. Open Studios is sfilL[qokjng for ~~he studio
spaCe it had hoped to get, in Washing~on Sehool. With all the milling ~quipment removed
aritl'the clerestory windows replaced, the interior of the N1ill, woald be~a dramatically lit
space. This option has b8th pluses and minuses. ~ ~
~ Finahcia~, Yninus: dpen~S~dins does not have the money to put.chase 1he Mill, oniy
fo iease the ~, and h2s liriir`t,~tl ~unc}s for renovations.. lt is currer~ly leasing elassroom
' space at the Ste9lyards Wliich could be moved to {he Mill.
•` Educational, plus: . Gary, ZefF, Open S,tud'ios di~ector, ~sees a synergy wit~. tfie Native
Amerf~sns for display and teaehing af t(~eu crafts. Whether natiu~ Americans shar2d
space in the Mill or useci f6ev own l~ilding for their crafts, having. prac#itioners of
both #~eritages on the same s~te wj~{„i~ustrate th~ range of Amerieaq art.
HANSEN/HANflLEY & ASSOCIATES, ARCNITECTS
P€JB~IC ACCESS TO 60€JL~ER COE11~T1^S GARpINAL ~NILE
The following ideas are at the tliscussion stage oniy. They will_nof be rennatl until the
final sta~ilization stage is in progress.
C~nditions at Cartlinal:
~ Cardinal is at 9,500 foot elevaiion. Year around public ac;zss is n~t reali~fic.
• It is approximately half way beiween the Peak to Peak highway and Caribou. Drive-
by traffic is notfrequeot.
. 7he site is steeper and less stabie than the Valmont Mill's. Cardinal's taifings were
dumped on both sides of the Mill. A major po~ion of the sta6ilization costs are for re-
taining walls to keep the soil antl tailings from pushing the A~"itll further down hill and
collapsing its sitles.
• There is no electricity or piped running water in the building.
• The interior of the Cardinal hhill has muitiple levels accessetl by stairs, ladders, and
caiwalks that are to~ narrow, too st2ep, and without ad2quat~ raili~gs to m~et code.
• Almost ali of the early miliing equipmznt is in place.
Public access idezs refl~ct the above conditions.
• The Mill will he open to the public only from laie spring ~hrough summer and only on
a 6mited schedule.
~ Tours fior schooi classes and oiher groups wifl be by appointment.
~ Tours can be limited to daylight hqurs so lighting is not required.
~ Since publia use will be on predetermined schedule, port-a-poities can be used in-
stead of toilets.
e The public will enter the building on various levefs from the outsitle. There is space
on the east side of the building to construct ADA accessible ramps to at least most of
the ea~erior access points.
~ At some levels there wili be large areas of the h~iil where the public can walk Af
other levels ifiormation will have to be on sigr,s. ~
ATTACHMENT B
Resolution passed unanimously by Histonc Boulder's Board of Directors at its November 13, 2006,
meeting:
~
The Valmont Mill is the most prominent reminder of Boulder's founding as a mining supply towa The Mill has also
been declared Nalional Register eligible. Historic Boulder sVOngly supports saving this building which has such local
and natio~al historic importance and reques[s [ha[ [he City include a requirement in a sales conVact for the property that
all future owners preserve the Mill.
His[oric Boulder also recommends [hat the C~ty landmark [he Valmon[ Mill before selling it. Th~s step has advantages
for both [he City and the buyer.
1. Ensures [he Mill's preservation and the main[enance of i[s histortc exterior charac[er.
2. The owner wdl be eligible for gran[s from [he State Hisforic Fund for the Mi1Ps restoration and preservation.
3. A for-profi[ owner will receive s[a[e and federal tax benefits.
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