Colorado Springs' Patriot Park - The premier defense and office

Colorado Springs Business Journal, Nov 5, 2004 by Catherine Sportsman

With budgets for homeland security projects on the rise, Department of Defense contractors have a need for properties that have force protection zones. Planning is under way for a 60-acre master planned business park at the northwest corner of Platte Avenue and Powers Boulevard that provides just that environment.

The first of its kind in the Colorado Springs area, Patriot Park is a distinctive new master-planned business park designed to offer the presence, prominence and force protection that defense contractors and other security-oriented companies require in an inviting, corporate park setting. John Cassiani, the executive vice- president and head of marketing for the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp. feels that there are tremendous activities regarding the aerospace and defense industry.

There will be a demand for new product in the very near future, Cassiani said. This park definitely makes sense. It has the secure fences, buildings and surroundings that contractors, such as these, are definitely looking for.

Stephen G. Bach, president of Bach Commercial Brokerage Co., the exclusive marketing agent for the project, agrees.

Force protection zone standards are now desired by many companies responsible for fulfilling defense-related contracts, he said. In addition to private interior streets and limited access entry points, the concept plan provides for expansive clear zones around each facility. Patriot Park offers the best of both worlds, incorporating state-of-the-art security features in an inviting, corporate park- like setting.

Architectural design standards and protective covenants will help ensure quality and lasting values for companies that locate within the park. Patriot Park also will provide distinctive monument signage and extensive entry landscaping for its occupants. The thought process for this kind of business park is very smart. Several aerospace companies are already considering the location, Cassiani said.

The concept plan for the park calls for construction of up to 584,000 square feet of office, office/R&D and office/flex facilities in a combination of one, two and three story buildings. Eight concept lots are available and may be combined or altered to suit the needs of individual companies. A childcare/fitness center for park employees is also being proposed. The actual building sizes and their locations within the park will be refined by the individual users needs. The sites will be available for sale or on a build-to- suit basis.

Defense contractors like the environment in the Colorado Springs area and Patriot Park is strategically located to suit their needs. The security and proximity to key military installations is definitely a selling point. Peterson Air Force Base is about a mile and a half, or about five minutes away; Schriever Air Force Base lies approximately nine miles or 10 minutes to the east; and the Cheyenne Mountain NORAD complex, 12 miles from the park, can be reached within 15 minutes. The EDC is very optimistic about the plans for Patriot Park.

The companies that I have been in contact with feel it is a very strategic place with great access to Peterson Field Air Force Base, Cassiani said.

Ground breaking is anticipated in January 2005 with sites available for sale and build-to-suit available in April 2005. Patriot Park is a project of Paragon West Financial Corp., a group of private investors.