Why is Downtown Important to the Fort Collins Community?
It is sometimes easy to see the importance of objects and possessions, but rarely are these the things that evoke memories we hold close to our hearts. For example when you were a kid the big cardboard box the refrigerator came in was more fun than the overflowing box of toys your parents so lovingly bought for you, because it was unique and brought creativity to the forefront. And so it is with Downtown Fort Collins and the memories it helps create. You simply can't put a price tag on these experiences.
Downtown Fort Collins offers a chance to share time with family like strolling the historic streets laughing and spending time with each other. These times seem to be rare and so special. The global community is more in touch everyday, but remain isolated in much of their day to day activities. And so we take advantage of each opportunity we have to commingle with our fellow human beings. Telling your friend your deepest dreams over coffee or sharing juicy gossip at huge dinner is that precious human interaction we crave. Downtown's restaurant patios, live performance venues, window shopping, Old Town Square and Oak Street Plaza, the grassy lawns in Library Park or other wonderfully botanic public spaces provide the setting for residents and visitors to simply spend time together.
Downtown Fort Collins is an overwhelming popular destination for people to experience a sense of celebration. Downtown's fantastic restaurants and local breweries give us the ability to feast and celebrate birthdays, loved ones, and just about anything you could think to celebrate. All within walking distance of each other, people can enjoy fine and folk art, dining, craft brews, live performances and a lively urban area. Not to mention festivals, these are a staple in the community with at least one in downtown almost every weekend throughout the late spring, summer and fall months. These are of every scope, from live music on the Old Town Square Stage on a weeknight to a huge three-day, twelve block community birthday festival. So whether it is seeing your favorite national music act or buying an ice cream for your sweetheart it is all celebrated in Downtown Fort Collins.
So what is the value of Downtown Fort Collins? Simply it is a showcase and reflection of Fort Collins history, talent, and pride. It allows us to understand we are a piece of a larger community, that we have a part to play in our city's history and that we have a beautifully diverse and talented populace. Downtown has served our community well; it has been revitalized to be one of the model historic downtowns in the nation, and requires a lot of devotion and attention, as all great assets do. It thrives because of support from the citizens and the community of Fort Collins and exists for people to have unique experiences and make lifelong memories... priceless.
