The Wellington Business Center, a phased development that will add more than 95,000 sq. ft. of commercial space to Wellington, is slated to break ground on Phase 1 later this year at 3997 Water Lily Drive. So is work on a Kaufman & Robinson, Inc. manufacturing and research facility at Glow Avenue and County Road 7. The 50,000+ sq. ft. facility will bring an internationally renowned company to Wellington and add jobs to the local economy.
Finally, Sage Farms, a phased master-planned community proposed for Wellington, recently received preliminary plat approval. The application for the project, which includes neighborhood commercial space in addition to residential development, has advanced to the next phase.
All three projects are poised to add new dimensions to the Wellington community.
“With the future of our utilities infrastructure now secure, Wellington is ready to write the next chapter in our 120-year story,” Wellington Mayor Calar Chaussee said. “These three projects are a great illustration of what that chapter will look like: responsibly managed growth and development resulting in new opportunities for our residents and businesses. We’re excited for what’s coming next in Wellington.”
Wellington Business Center
According to project manager Steve Wimp, who is the owner of project general contractor Thunderpup Construction, the Wellington Business Center will provide the Town with a retail-focused mixed-use development.
The first phase consists of a building with 14 units totaling 36,000 sq. ft., with both single-story and two-story options available. Business owners can either lease or buy space.
When all phases are complete, the project will total 95,000+ sq. ft. of commercial space.
Wimp said any type of business zoned for a C-3 district would fit well in the first phase, and he expects strong interest from retailers and restaurants. In fact, project realtors Cushman & Wakefield have already had conversations with several retailers and restaurants interested in potentially acquiring space in the Wellington Business Center.
As for what makes Wellington an attractive location for business owners, Wimp, who said he would love to develop another site in Town, listed several factors.
First: new businesses in Wellington have the opportunity to fill a real need in an emerging market. The Town has experienced rapid population growth during the past 10-15 years, resulting in a need for more local businesses. With Wellington expected to continue growing in the coming years, that need — along with the number of people in close proximity to in-town businesses — will only continue to increase.
Second: the Town’s location pairs beauty with convenience. Wellington is peacefully nestled next to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, which makes for an incredible backdrop. The Town is also located right along Interstate 25 — the exit is just a 3-minute drive from the Wellington Business Center — putting it just minutes from Harmony Street in Fort Collins and less than 90 minutes from Denver.
Third: the people. Wimp said the Wellington residents he has interacted with have all been friendly and genuinely excited at the prospect of new businesses coming to Town. He said Town staff members have been very business friendly and helpful, often going above and beyond to help make sure the project remains on track.
A groundbreaking for construction on Phase 1 of the Wellington Business Center project is expected this fall. Find more information about the project at wellingtonbusinesscenter.com. To learn more about renting or leasing space in the Wellington Business Center, contact Cushman & Wakefield Senior Directors Tyler Murray (970-267-7404) or Cole VanMeveren (970-219-3802).
Kaufman & Robinson facility
Founded in 1978 in Fort Collins, Kaufman & Robinson, Inc. is a global leader in the research and manufacturing of broad-beam products, including commercial ion sources, plasma sources, and power supply controllers.
The company’s new facility in Wellington represents an expansion of its state-of-the-art facility in Fort Collins. It also represents a key development for Wellington’s local economy: high-end manufacturing jobs offered by a well-regarded company that’s a global pioneer in its sector.
“Kaufman & Robinson is an international leader in a cutting-edge field,” Mayor Chaussee said. “Their addition brings a new dimension to our business community — one that is vital for a growing Town like Wellington. We are excited for work to start on their new facility, and we look forward to welcoming them to our community.”
Work on the new 50,000+ sq. ft. facility is expected to kick off this fall. Learn more about Kaufman & Robinson, Inc. at the company’s website: https://ionsources.com.
Sage Farms
Like the Wellington Business Center and Kaufman & Robinson projects, Sage Farms is poised to bring new elements to Wellington.
“This will be the first project in Wellington that will bring multiple types of price point homes to one community,” Sage Homes owner and project developer Daren Roberson said. “In addition, this project also has a commercial portion of the development. Both of these are things the town has not had in the past.”
The project consists of approximately 300 acres of land, 10 of those acres being dedicated to neighborhood commercial space in the first phase, and as many as 60 additional acres of commercial space in later construction phases. The development will fit seamlessly within Wellington’s existing infrastructure, including open space and trail connections, and dedication of parks and community spaces.
“This community has been designed to offer a small town feel with amenities of a larger town,” Roberson said. “We envision that both businesses and homeowners will feel a true sense of community.”
Roberson also expects there to be a wide range of businesses interested in the development’s commercial parcels, especially considering the proximity to new residential development.
“I see many businesses that could be a great fit, from sandwich shops, breakfast or dinner restaurants along with a convenience store and gas station,” he said. “The doors are wide open, and with the added roof tops, it will help to bring more businesses to the community.”
Roberson, whose company has been working with Wellington for almost 25 years, thinks the Town has put itself in a better place to attract more new businesses and development projects in the coming years. The reason for this improvement? The Town’s recently completed infrastructure projects.
“The Town of Wellington over the past 3-4 years has made major investments into their water and sewer plants, which 
has positioned the Town to grow now and serve the future development needs for many years to come,” he said. “I’m excited to be bringing a new development project to Wellington that will be a competitive offering that is more in line with other towns of this size.”
And, like Wimp, Roberson credits Town staff for being supportive and business friendly as the project moves through the planning and permitting process.
Town planners “are always willing to give input for solutions and are a major part of me developing in Wellington. On the building side, the Town staff we work with for permits and any concerns we might have during the construction of homes is always an open door to help out, and I can’t thank them enough,” said Roberson, who also offered thanks to Town administrators and the Public Works Department. “We look forward to working with the Town for many more years.”
Find out more about Sage Homes at https://sagehomes.com.
For more
To learn more about development in Wellington, see the Town’s Development Activities Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1dTmWtQjk9sa6uTjgrmHCG6ZpM2rVBkE&usp=sharing.