The 12,000 square foot, green-built retail property, which broke ground in October and is slated for completion in April, will be anchored by a 7,500 square foot Trek concept bicycle store showroom operated by Solsky under a dealer agreement with Waterloo, WI-based Trek Bicycle Corporation. Solsky first entered the retail bicycle business in 1983 as owner of two Lee?s Cyclery stores, established in Fort Collins in 1963.

Investing in a green building through a LEED-registered project was an obvious choice for Solsky, a participant since 2002 in Fort Collins Utilities? Green Energy Program, who has also opted to utilize sustainable building materials in store remodeling projects.

?The momentum green building has achieved over the past few years reflects the increasing responsibility placed on developers and business owners to conserve resources and protect our natural environment,? said Solsky. ?I think we?re already starting to see green building emerge as the definitive standard for new construction, and I wanted to be a part of that process by developing the Trek store as a green-built retail space,? Solsky explained.

To design and build the 2534 property, Solsky selected Vaught Frye Architects and Dohn Construction Incorporated, both regional front-runners in projects eligible for LEED certification. ?We?re thrilled to work with Archie in building a flagship retail space which we hope will demonstrate to other area retailers the viability of green building,? said Doug Dohn, Principal and Quality Control Manager. Vaught Frye LEED Manager and LEED AP, Matt Poncelow noted that green construction has grown most rapidly in the commercial and residential sectors, but Solsky?s 2534 property ranks as one of a comparatively small number of retail-zoned properties in Northern Colorado to be registered as LEED projects. The location and design amenities of the retail site mirror Solsky?s vision as a cyclist and bicycle commuting advocate. As the first LEED-registered property in Northern Colorado built for occupancy by a bike shop, the property caters both to green design and the cycling lifestyle.

?We?re building on-site changing room and shower facilities to promote bike commuting among store staff and have designed the store to take advantage of natural daylight, with oversized windows so that 90% of customer and employee-occupied spaces will have outdoor views,? said Solsky. ?This is an exciting time to be able to merge the eco-friendly bicycle as a transportation alternative with a facility that is in line with these values, in a community that supports this philosophy,? Solsky added. The cyclist-friendly store design integrates with Trek Bicycle Corporation?s One World, Two Wheels campaign, a global cycling advocacy initiative unveiled in August, 2007 by Trek?s President, John Burke, pledging up to $1.6 million in donations over the next three years to organizations that promote bicycle-friendly communities.

Further advancing the project?s green building elements, 20% of building materials are specified to come from recycled sources, combined with a targeted 75% diversion rate of post-construction waste. The property will be powered through Xcel Energy?s renewable energy program and will also include water-efficient engineering designed to reduce the building?s water consumption by 40% as compared to conventional construction. Externally, the landscaping will feature highly water-efficient native plantings which will be irrigated by a non-potable water source. Solsky recently closed on a lease with a Subway restaurant and is currently negotiating with another retail tenant to occupy the building?s other business space adjacent to the Trek concept store. Through the project?s LEED Core & Shell status, the future tenants will have the option to pursue LEED Commercial Interior certification.

To learn more about local partners in this project, please visit www.dohnconstruction.com and www.vaughtfrye.com.