CSU’s Hughes redevelopment plan supports 3 pillars of sustainability
When you hear “sustainability,” what comes to mind? Is it reducing plastic waste or energy use? Or maybe you think of creating longer-lasting products and upcycling. But does sustainability ever conjure ideas of childcare or affordable housing?
Sustainability is more than just environmental considerations. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it consists of three pillars: social, economic and environmental. Tons of media outlets, influential people and even course curriculums promote environmental sustainability but neglect to elaborate on the social and economic aspects. Regardless, true sustainability is like a stool with the three pillars as the legs — the stool is only complete when the legs are equal.
The complexity and multiple moving parts of the three pillars make sustainability an incredibly difficult issue to tackle. However, Colorado State University is hitting the mark when it comes to their redevelopment plan for the land where Hughes Stadium once sat.
According to CSU’s Hughes Redevelopment page, the school’s employees report that housing costs are their biggest challenge. So, their plan is to build an affordable housing community equipped with transit, healthcare, childcare and open space, at which CSU employees will receive housing preference before it is opened to the community.
Some Fort Collins residents believe that the Hughes site should be restored and preserved as open space owned by the City. They argue that it would serve the community better as natural land than a private subdivision.
While this is a noble and understandable idea, this issue is more complicated than just development versus preservation. Preservation of the land seemingly strongly aligns with the environmental pillar of sustainability, but it does not consider social equity or the local economy. Furthermore, there are lesser-known aspects of this project that prove it actually does address environmental concerns.
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability can be defined as maintaining ecological systems and integrity and using natural resources at or below their replenishing rate. At first glance, I fully understand how a housing development looks much more damaging to the environment than restoration to natural systems.
Consider, though, that the Hughes site has already been dug up and cleared out in order to build an extensive stadium system that required underground infrastructure and tons of cement. Although the above-ground building was demolished, “underground remnants” remain from the 50 years the structure stood, according to University Planner Fred Haberecht.
City staff have voiced their views that the area is not fit to serve as a natural open space. According to City Manager Darin Atteberry, it’s not worth the millions of dollars the city would have to spend to restore it.
Not to mention, the site is already equipped with utility systems connected to the city’s infrastructure, according to SOURCE. Whereas other development sites would require land destruction for the installation of water and electricity systems, the Hughes site is uniquely prepared. Fort Collins needs affordable housing — why not at a site that’s already been developed?
Also, the redevelopment plan includes a transit system, which would greatly reduce the number of cars driving to campus daily, alongside preservation of roughly 70 acres of green space, which is almost half of the land.
I do have two major concerns for this plan: it includes 354 homes, 108 townhomes and an apartment complex and, more disturbingly, commercial space. I would argue that the apartment complex should be small to mid-size, there should be a few less homes and absolutely no commercial space. It’s completely unnecessary.
Social Equity
The Planning Action to Transform Hughes Sustainably, PATHS, claims that keeping the Hughes site open as natural space is adherent the social pillar of sustainability by providing access to outdoor recreation, inspiration and history, among other things. I truly want to support this citizen-run organization and their goals, but I can’t deny the abundance of half-truths and misleading statements, including this, on their website.
Social equity is not just happiness, it’s “the fair treatment and involvement of all people and communities … in the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies,” according to the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit.
CSU plans to implement “solar-energy and water-saving technology options,” according to SOURCE. In doing so, the redevelopment would include middle- and lower-income families in otherwise unattainable sustainable practices. Sustainability is expensive, and many people can’t afford the initial investments.
If CSU does this right, they will greatly stimulate the local sustainability community in an incredible way.
Yes, open space can contribute to well-being, but affordable housing with built-in transportation for this community’s educators and university caretakers alongside incredibly important integration of sustainable technology in this city’s development seem well worth the loss. Although I wish more of the land would be preserved as open space, there are plenty of areas in Fort Collins for the city to protect and invest in.
Economic Stability
Finally, it’s not difficult to recognize the beneficial economic aspects of the plan. The whole point is to provide CSU employees and Fort Collins citizens with attainable and affordable housing. If the development goes as planned, many employees would be able to move closer to campus and live more comfortably with higher retained income.
With the transit center incorporated into the area, residents will likely spend less on car maintenance, gas and other transportation options. The homes are meant to be sold at or below Fort Collins’ market prices, while the rentals will meet “the federal standard for affordable housing,” according to SOURCE.
Not only will the future residents benefit from the economics of the redevelopment, so will the Fort Collins economy in general. With more disposable income, families should be able to pour back into stimulation of local businesses and services.
Overall, I believe it’s truly sustainable to let CSU, an institution known for its comprehensive approach to sustainability, guide the development of affordable housing on the Hughes site. Make your own opinions, but don’t forget to consider the economic and social equity needs of your neighbors and the employees — the backbone — of Colorado State University.
