What is the timeline for construction?
Prevailing market conditions will affect the start of community construction. The Canyons team plans to begin construction when the housing market begins to show real signs of recovery. In preparation, we anticipate that master-planning of the property will continue over the next year or so, followed by several years of more specific, site-oriented planning during the “platting” phase. Once the platting phase is complete, it will take approximately one year to build the main roads and utility services for the community — before the first neighborhoods will be available. However, it is likely that the cultivation of the community farm will begin early to provide the fields time to mature for maximum growing potential.

What is the construction we see today east of I-25?

The construction you see today is for the west phase of Hess Road. Hess Road is a Douglas County road project that will connect Parker Road to Interstate 25 at Castle Pines Parkway. The County projects construction to be complete in 2011.

• At the heart of The Canyons plan is a community farm, tended by a professional farmer. The idea here is to produce fresh, wholesome, organically grown food for the residents and for the farm-to-table restaurant that will be close by. We see the farm as an iconic focal point for the community. A living, working demonstration of sustainable practices. A source of delicious, fresh food. And a beautiful way to celebrate the changing seasons.
• Extending the health orientation of the farm and fresh food restaurant, we also have plans for a bed & breakfast and health spa. Think rest and relaxation. Getting away from the stresses of work and family and everyday life.  A rejuvenating weekend retreat — right here in the neighborhood.
• The marketplace, another major focal point of the community, is being designed as a walkable mix of shops, offices, restaurants, galleries, studios, residences and a boutique hotel — organized around a social gathering place like a plaza or square.
• We gotta have art. So the fine arts and continuing education programs are expected to be a vital part of llfe at The Canyons — supported by plans for artists’ studios, a performance amphitheater and possibly a university extension. A fringe benefit: the art programs will result in a continually evolving and expanding collection of murals, paintings, sculptures, etc., which we will be able to display throughout the community.
• Gotta have a pool, too. The plan would not be complete without a well-equipped community center featuring a swimming pool, group recreational facilities and gathering spaces, and sports fields.
• This is a walking and biking community. So we’re planning for about 37 miles of pedestrian and biking trails throughout The Canyons. These will connect to the extensive Douglas County regional trail system and another proposed trail system that will run through approximately 3,000 acres of open space that are proposed as a part of the new Reuter Hess Reservoir project.
• Good news for all horse lovers. An equestrian trailhead accessing the regional equestrian trail system is also included in The Canyons plan.

Will there be new schools at The Canyons?
Our plan for The Canyons designates potential sites for schools. Further discussion with the appropriate agencies, including the Douglas County School District, will take place to determine the optimum location and size of this site.

What is a “mixed-use” marketplace?
The marketplace will be a great place to go to shop, browse, dine, meet friends for coffee and a bagel, sit outside and enjoy the Colorado sun, check your email, people-watch, walk your dog . . . you get the idea. “Mixed-use” means lots of possibilities all in one walkable place. (The idea is to leave your car and walk or bike where you want to go.) The marketplace will be a social magnet drawing people from within The Canyons and without for business and pleasure. There will even be some urban-style residences and offices integrated into the mix — so some people will even call this marketplace home — or else have a very short commute to work. This marketplace will be easily accessible at the northern entrance to The Canyons. A second “neighborhood retail” area is being planned to serve the needs of residents and neighbors at the southern end.

How will The Canyons address water and energy use?
This is an important question, and one that points to a core value of The Canyons plan. Our goal is to become a national model for conservation, renewable energy production, and reduced carbon emissions. Our plan is to first reduce and then renew. We are in the process of identifying quantifiable goals for reducing water and energy use across the community and in individual homes. Some of our tactics will include low water landscaping, native planting, limited actively irrigated areas, low flow fixtures and other creative technologies. In addition, we will work with state-of-the-art architects and builders to implement the latest in energy saving technologies in our homes. And we will explore renewable energy sources such as active solar, wind and geothermal. These water and energy solutions are fundamental to our commitment to sustainable development.

What transportation improvements will be included in The Canyons plan?
The Canyons will be designed to improve travel around the community and reduce the need for residents to make traditional car commutes. A series of new transportation alternatives is currently being proposed within and around The Canyons. Hess Road, being built by Douglas County, planned as a four-lane arterial roadway, is proposed to be a major east/west connection from Parker Road to I-25 at Castle Pines Parkway. The Colorado Department of Transportation has recently finished a new north/south frontage road for I-25 that will allow connections at Castle Pines Parkway and the new Ridgegate Interchange. Inside the community, we’re proposing a new north/south connection from Crowfoot Valley Road to the Castle Pines North interchange as well an extension of Happy Canyon Road east to intersect with this new north/south road. These new roads are major enhancements to the regional transportation plan.

In addition, The Canyons will be an employment center in its own right, with offices, retail and services emerging in the community’s mixed-use marketplace. Some residents won’t have very far to go to get to work. To further reduce car travel within The Canyons, the plan calls for a network of trails and rights-of-way for pedestrians, bikes and alternative vehicles.

And finally, as we look ahead, we envision the possibility for a variety of mass transit opportunities arriving over time, including commuter shuttles, bus and perhaps even light rail. The Canyons is designed to be transit-ready.

How will the open space at The Canyons benefit its neighboring communities?  
The Canyons will dedicate over half of the plan to native and recreational open spaces that are open to area residents. And this includes neighbors from surrounding communities as well residents of The Canyons. Our philosophy is to be inclusive rather than exclusive. We want to share the beauty of The Canyons with residents and visitors alike. So recreational open spaces will include parks, sports fields, pedestrian and equestrian trails and the community farm. Approximately 37 miles of paved and non-paved trails will allow the greater community access to the natural beauty of this rugged landscape— and to the more refined attractions of the marketplace. The Canyons will also provide a trail connection to the thousands of acres of adjacent open space proposed surrounding the new Reuter Hess Reservoir, which makes our Colorado great outdoors even greater.

How are you protecting wildlife habitat and native vegetation?
A respect for natural drainages and mature Gambel oaks and cottonwoods is driving many of the planning decisions of The Canyons. Not only for their spectacular beauty, but to provide habitat and corridors for existing wildlife on the property.

What is the price range of the homes you are proposing?
Currently, the team anticipates home prices in the mixed-use marketplace to range from approximately the mid $200s to the $700s for urban-style lofts, townhomes and condominiums. The homes located throughout the other neighborhoods of The Canyons, including patio homes, portfolio homes, custom residences and large-acreage estates, are expected to range from the low $300s to over $3 million. Actual home prices won’t be set until construction is underway.

Why the annexion of The Canyons into Castle Pines North?
The Canyons and the City share a vision of what smart, sustainable planning can bring to the region. We look forward to a partnership that will increase services and amenities for Castle Pines North residents and allow The Canyons to reach its full potential as a beautiful community of enduring value — socially, environmentally and economically.

What approvals are needed from Castle Pines North and what is the timing?
The first requirements of the approval process included annexation and zoning. Approval for these processes occured on October 22nd, 2009. The next step in the process includes a series of approvals, from Sketch Plan to Preliminary Plan and Final Plat. Each step includes more specific information on the plan and additional opportunities for neighborhood input. The entire approval process may take two to three years.

How will you continue to work with the community?
Ongoing community outreach is an important priority for The Canyons team. We welcome the public’s involvement throughout the development process. And, through a series of community workshops, we will continue to meet with community groups, neighbors and homeowners’ associations, public and private organizations and any other stakeholders to discuss The Canyons. We sincerely believe that community dialogue is essential to creating a place of enduring value.  

What is the status of discussions with the Happy Canyon and Pinery Homeowners Associations?
The Canyons is committed to continue discussions with the Happy Canyon and Pinery Homeowners Associations. If you are a Happy Canyon or Pinery resident, and would like to know more about these discussions, please feel free to call us directly at 303-773-3400 and dial 206 for Darren Everett.