The city of Cortez has issued a request for proposals for a commercial real estate broker to assist with the development and marketing of 19 acres designated for a new industrial park.
In 2014, the city purchased the former Four Corners Materials building and surrounding 80 acres with big plans. City manager Shane Hale said that when the property was listed last year, three opportunities came to the forefront: The neighboring Public Works department could have more space for materials; Carpenter Natural Area could be expanded; and the area meets the needs of industrial or commercial developers seeking large space in a properly zoned area.
Last summer, the city announced plans to add 60 acres of open recreational space to the Carpenter Natural Area, which includes the addition of a 1.5-mile mountain biking trail. The new addition has been named the Raymond Geer Natural Area, named after a Cortez native who died in combat in Iraq. A dedication is planned this Memorial Day.
Hale said that the industrial park area is already home to some of the city’s biggest manufacturing interests: high-end buggy builder Jimmy’s 4x4, guitar-string maker Curt Mangan, and outdoors company Osprey Packs. He said that it makes sense to build off that foundation and create a cohesive space for similar companies to set up shop.
The city has budgeted $800,000 for road, sewer, water and electric utility infrastructure installation in the area, work that the city expects to begin sometime after space is subdivided, annexed and zoned.
“It’s gives me a little heartburn to think about that (the $800,000 infrastructure investment), but if we can sell the office building, add 60 acres of open space and create jobs locally, I would call it an absolute win,” said Hale.
In the interim, the city is searching for a commercial broker to aid the city in development, marketing and eventual sale of the parcels. The city anticipates the broker’s contract to be for two years initially with the ability to renew for a one-year basis.
“We want a realtor to represent the city to make sure we’re complying with laws,” said Hale. “We’d like someone local who knows the area.”
He noted that the creation of the industrial park, and any future lot sales within it, is driven by the prospect of growing businesses and creating jobs.
“We’re not doing this to make a red cent – it’s about economic development,” said Hale. “We have some great local companies that employ a lot of people already back there – Osprey, Jimmy’s 4x4 – the plan is that if we can add more of those types of companies to the city or if those companies want to grow, we’ll have a place for them.”
The deadline for proposal submittals is Feb. 13. More information on how to submit can be found via: http://www.cityofcortez.com/Bids.aspx?bidID=28