Sol Center at Alta Verde
Care. Collaboration. Community.
FIRC and Building Hope are committed to meeting the community’s most pressing needs and together, will increase their collaboration and efficiency.
The high cost of living makes Summit County a difficult place to live. FIRC & Building Hope empower people through education and support to help them manage the challenges of housing, parenting, mental health & healthcare so our community can thrive.
For our clients: seamless, equitable access to resources and opportunities
For our nonprofits: enhanced efficiencies and cross-collaboration
For our community: strengthen summit county’s workforce
Proposed Project
An 18,150 square foot building will house a community food market, thrift store, offices for FIRC and Building Hope staff, and meeting space for community partners. Currently, the two organizations operate out of five different buildings, stretching budgets thin and reducing collaboration opportunities. Having all services under one roof increases ease of access, reduces stigma, and encourages clients to seek services they otherwise might not.
The Need
The Sol Center will also result in significant overhead cost-savings of an estimated $200,000 annually. These funds will go directly back to the community in the form of food, medical, mental health, and housing assistance in response to the sustained high demand for supports post-pandemic.
With the pandemic came a drastic rise in demand for food, housing, and mental health services. Thirty percent of residents accessed these agencies’ services last year through 8,500 appointments and countless touchpoints, walk-ins, and follow-ups.
People often need various resources to achieve stability. Stigma, fear, and fragmented assistance can stand in the way. A centralized building provides clients with the integrated services of FIRC, Building Hope, and community partners.
1 in 4 local households cannot afford their basic needs
and save for emergencies without assistance.
When basic needs are met, people can focus on being a parent, employee, and community member.
The Building
Total: 18,150 square feet (sf)
- Ground Level – 7250 sf Food Market and Thrift & Treasure Store
- Upper Floor – 7130 sf offices, conference and meeting space
- Basement – Storage Area – 3770 sf
In the summer of 2021, the Town of Breckenridge decided to dedicate part of the McCain parcel to workforce housing and a nonprofit campus. Discussions with FIRC and Building Hope’s Boards of Directors made it clear that FIRC had the resources, through the sale of current buildings, to contribute significant financing towards the project. In addition to the Town of Breckenridge’s generous donation of a 75-year land lease, the in-kind services of Allen-Guerra Architecture, Rockridge Building Company, Jack Wolfe and Interiors by Design make the project possible.
Location
The Town of Breckenridge pledged $50M to build 900 workforce housing units throughout Breckenridge. As part of their ambitious plan, the Alta Verde workforce neighborhood will have 250, net-zero rental units. Half of the units will be designated as low-income units. The Sol Center will be adjacent to the workforce neighborhood, on a free bus line, and ADA accessible.
Read up on Sol Center News
- Summit Daily – Sol Center & Vail Health
- Summit Daily – Summit County’s Largest Non-Profit
- Summit Daily – Financial Assistance
- LIV Sotheby’s – Supports the Sol Center
- Summit Daily – Sol Center Groundbreaking
- Summit Daily – Colorado Springs Donors
- Summit Daily – Sol Center Continued Support
- Summit Daily – Official Facility Named (Sol Center)
- Sol Center – Groundbreaking Video
Project Cost
Support Through June of 2023
How to Contribute
Services provided by FIRC and Building Hope are designed to support our community. Every donation give us hope and strength, which we will pass along to our neighbors who need it the most.
Thank you for each donation and pledge that has been raised to date. While it is thrilling to see how the community continues to step up to champion the Sol Center, there is still work to be done and both organizations are taking every step possible to secure diversified funding streams to ensure a successful campaign.
Checks: please make payable to FIRC and specify “capital campaign” in the memo field, Mailing address: PO Box 1636, Silverthorne, CO 80498. FIRC’s Taxpayer EIN: 84-1252900