El Mercado

Background about El Mercado

Since January 2022, Colorado State University’s Energy Institute (also known as The Powerhouse) has been engaging with organizations within the community for their expansion of a second building (referred to as Powerhouse II) along Northeast corner of Vine and N College Ave in Fort Collins, Colorado. While this expansion will be a much-needed addition to the Institute’s programming, there is potential space to be utilized by the general public for any identified needs within the community. This community engagement effort is to determine what ideas the community might have for use of the space, and specifically, if a potential El Mercado (also referred to as a Latinx Farmers Market) is needed and/or desired by the local community.  It is anticipated that use of the outdoor space will be at a low or no cost for community benefit, and use of the indoor space will include fees.  

How will our feedback be used?

The partners are gathering feedback via engagement meetings (another one is scheduled for 3/7 at the Poudre Library) as well as community surveys.  Feedback will be compiled and evaluated.  If appropriate, grants will be written to help fund any infrastructure improvements that can help bring the ideas to fruition.  The sooner this can happen, the more opportunity there will be to include them in the planning process and construction of the building. 

Why ‘El Mercado’?

Initial conversations about the future of Powerhouse 2 have included creation of a mercado for use of the outdoor space.  This idea has emerged from informal conversations and data collection as a need for the N College communities. Community members have proposed a cooperative business model to run the mercado.  Members of Fuerza Latina have voiced an interest in leading this effort.  

How can I participate?

Join us on March 7th from 5:30-7:00pm at the Old Town Library to get more information and provide more in-depth feedback at 5 different stations.

While we are in the first few renditions of the concept, our hope is to capture the true needs of the community, specifically those who reside in the North College Corridor, with the goal to build community within the Powerhouse II parameters. From January 2022 until May 2023, we will be conducting one-on-one interviews with stakeholders, organizational leaders, and community members in hopes to obtain a well-rounded proposal for the Powerhouse II.

Who is involved in leading this assessment?