plans for combined entertainment facility and park get green light in durango, colorado

An 8,000-seat special events center, along with fairgrounds and several athletic fields, could see construction in Durango, Colorado if a recently-approved and much-discussed area plan becomes reality.

Members of the Durango Planning Commission have voted unanimously in favor of the Durango Mesa Area Plan which will develop a portion of an 1,850-acre site in the Ewing Mesa for recreational and entertainment purposes.

The site was purchased several years ago by Marc Katz, owner of the Durango-based Mercury Payment Systems, one of the fastest-growing payment processing companies in the country.
At the time of the purchase, Katz said he wanted to turn over the land to both the City of Durango and surrounding La Plata County to be used as a community park and gathering place for concerts and other entertainment events.

Of the 1,850 acres purchased by Katz, exactly 200 would be used for the special events center and athletic fields, with the rest being preserved as open space that could be used for horseback riding and hiking.

A portion of the funding for what is being called the Durango Mesa Park, which would look out onto the La Plata Mountain range, could be secured through local sales tax revenue.

The plan, designed by the Avon, Colorado-based architectural firm of Zehren and Associates, is now on its way to the Durango City Council for review and approval.

By Garry Boulard

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