Beardmore, Godinez, Reidhead Alleys

This alleyway, completed in 2018, connects three busy streets, W. Mountain Avenue, Mason Street, and W. Oak Street. A unique cable art installation is now centrally featured in what was once a cramped parking lot. Improved traffic and pedestrian routes reinvigorated this space and opened the door for new ways to navigate Old Town.

Beardmore Alley is named for Dick Beardmore.  Mr. Beardmore was a passionate historic preservationist and structural/preservation engineer, who contributed significantly to the restoration and renovation of many historic structures in Fort Collins and throughout Colorado. He taught classes at Colorado State University in Construction Management and helped create the Center for the Stabilization and Re-Use of Important Structures.

Godinez Alley honors the Godinez family, who for generations have owned and operated El Burrito Family Mexican Restaurant at 404 Linden Street, also known to locals as Sam's Place. The restaurant relies on the recipes of the matriarch, Augustina Godinez, who was born in La Varca, Jalisco, Mexico, in 1908. She moved to Fort Collins at the age of eight (along with her parents and 18 siblings) to work in the agricultural fields. Inspired by her culinary talents and authentic recipes, her sons Jesse Jr. and Guillermo and their wives, Dorothy and Joann, opened El Burrito on September 23, 1960. Now operated by the 3rd, 4th, and 5th generations of Godinez extended family members, all have contributed to Downtown Fort Collins's culinary and cultural vibrancy.

Reidhead Alley recognizes the contributions of local businessman James (Jim) Reidhead. Along with business partner Carey Hewitt, Jim helped co-found The Cupboard, a beloved kitchen and home goods store now located on College Avenue. He also started restoring downtown's historic buildings in the 1970s. He participated in the original Old Town Square development project in the mid-1980s as a project manager for Gene Mitchell.  Jim helped form the downtown’s General Improvement District (GID) No. 1 and the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority (DDA). At Colorado State University (CSU), Jim began a program of technical building preservation and community development, where he worked with cities and towns throughout the state. In 1997, he started the Rural Land Use Center in Larimer County, an innovative conservation-oriented land conservation and development program.