News July 18, 2024, Club Meeting

Redd Upton conducted Thursday’s meeting in the absence of President Gordon. Dotti Moyer began the meeting with a prayer for peace, one that her father often gave when he was a Rotarian.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Dennis introduced a new visitor, Lou Pineda. Lou is working to start a new private school in Broomfield and expressed his interest in becoming a new member.

Next, Ben Vagher encouraged members to continue selling Ball Drop tickets, and Dennis provided an update on the Imagination Library registrations, which now total 530.

 
Stories
Harvest Hill Affordable Housing
 
 
Kevin Knapp - Vice President of Ulysses Development Group
 
Our first presentation on the 18th was from Kevin Knapp, Vice President of Ulysses Development Group and adjunct instructor at the University of Colorado. Mr. Knapp gave us details of a project he has been working on for the past three years called Harvest Hill. This affordable housing development in Broomfield aims to provide 152 high-quality, one-, two-, and three-bedroom low-rent units for residents earning between 30-70% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Rents will range from $700/month up to $2200/month. The project, located near the 1st Bank Event Center, is set to begin construction in 2024. It will feature amenities such as a community room, courtyard spaces, a playground, and electric vehicle charging stations. Designed to be transit-oriented, it will offer easy commute options for future residents. The total project cost is approximately $62.5 million, funded by various sources including the Broomfield Housing Authority, tax credits, grants and loans from the State of Colorado, and private investors. On July 30, at the city council meeting, Mr. Knapp will be requesting the final $2.5 million needed from the city to support the project, emphasizing that without this funding, the project cannot proceed.
73 Days in Mariupol

 

Steven Connacher

Our second speaker on July 18, was Stevan Connacher. Mr. Connacher shared the harrowing story of his mother-in-law’s experiences during the Russian siege of Mariupol in the early days of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Mr. Connacher and his wife had moved to Mariupol in 2016 but returned to Fort Collins in 2021 as reports of a potential Russian invasion grew more frequent. With his deep familiarity with the city and the area where his mother-in-law lived, he provided many pictures and vivid accounts of the region.

The Russian invasion of Mariupol began in 2022 with the bombing of the eastern side of the city. That area was leveled and completely depopulated, with surviving citizens taken to Russia. Within five days, Russian forces started targeting food warehouses, water supplies, cell towers, gas supplies, and lights. By February 28, they could no longer contact his mother-in-law.

After 73 days and numerous terrifying experiences, she was finally able to leave Ukraine and now lives in Fort Collins with the Connachers.