Big changes are coming to downtown Grand Lake, including a new marquee and the construction of a $7.5 million project that combines nine housing units with a 3,000-square-foot creative space.

A groundbreaking ceremony for Space to Create Grand Lake is set for Saturday, Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. at Park Avenue and Hancock Street. The live and work space is intended to support Grand Lake’s growing creative economy and to address a gap in the town’s available living resources, according to its website.

Organizers say the project has evolved since its early stages. “It’s kind of taken on a life of its own,” said Diann Butler, Grand County Economic Development Coordinator.

Originally intended to contain 18 housing units, Butler noted a change in the building’s design to create a larger Makerspace and fewer housing units.

“Now we’ve got the right mix in the right place,” she said.

Nearly 90% of the project’s funding is secured, with about $7 million raised through state grants, local contributions and private donations. That includes a net $3 million from a Strong Communities grant, a $3 million state revitalization fund and additional support from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.

“We’re down to our last $500,000,” Butler said. “So we still have money to raise, but we’re building.”

A multifaceted celebration

The Saturday groundbreaking ceremony will include remarks from town and county officials, representatives from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and Colorado Creative Industries, and music by local singer-songwriter Peggy Mann. After the speeches, officials will participate in a ceremonial shovel turn before moving to a ribbon cutting for the new Grand Lake marquee.

The marquee has also been years in the making, and will be unveiled to the public after the groundbreaking ceremonty.

Local designer Tim Hodsdon won the Grand Lake Marquee contest in July 2020 and collaborated with artist Grace Noel on the project, incorporating the indigenous ancestral roots of the Ute Indian Nation into the design. A totemic archway includes depictions of wild animals, including elk, a fox, birds and fish to represent the Ute creation story.

The structure has been brought to life this summer with the help of a team of structural engineers, welders, stonemasons, electricians and builders.

Expansive future plans

When complete, programming at Space to Create will be led by the Rocky Mountain Folk School, Rocky Mountain Wooden Boat School and Cowboy Trades Association. According to Butler, the folk school grew out of the creative district’s efforts to preserve traditional trades.

“We’ve really had to cobble together the right space to do that work,” she said. “We really need this space to be able to expand our classes… It’s creating a creative ecosystem.”

Construction is expected to move quickly and if all goes according to plan, Butler said the facility expects to open its doors by September 2026.