News Release

National Park Service Seeks Public Input Regarding Proposed Rehabilitation of Elk Creek Visitor Center

Elk Creek Visitor Center 1975

NPS Photo

News Release Date: November 20, 2019

Contact: Sandra Snell-Dobert, 19706412337227

The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to rehabilitate the Elk Creek Visitor Center at Curecanti National Recreation Area. The visitor center is a component of the Elk Creek development that includes campgrounds with comfort stations and an amphitheater, a maintenance area, a residential area, and marina. The Elk Creek development was designed and built from 1962 to 1973 as part of the NPS’s Mission 66 Program and the visitor center, which was designed by Cecil Doty, was constructed in 1968. The visitor center is eligible to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The proposed rehabilitation includes:
* Replacement of all building systems (HVAC, ductwork, domestic and sanitary plumbing infrastructure, replacement of plumbing fixtures, electrical infrastructure, telephone, low voltage and audio/visual).
* Addition of fire suppression system.
* Providing an accessible approach/entry from the parking lot to the visitor center entrance in accordance with the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard (ABAAS), and two accessible parking spaces in the parking lot adjacent to visitor center.
* Providing ABAAS accessible restrooms.
* Replacing all lighting, interior finishes (carpet, refinish wood elements), and interior doors.
* Improving acoustics between the ground and main floors.
* Constructing a new interior stair, in the same location as the existing stair, and elevator, which would serve as the primary entrance to the visitor center.
Because the visitor center rehabilitation would result in an adverse effect to a historic property under the National Historic Preservation Act, the NPS invites public comment on the proposed rehabilitation. For more information about the proposed rehabilitation, the public is invited to visit the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/parkHome.cfm?parkID=48 and select Rehabilitate Elk Creek Visitor Center to Address Visitor Safety/Accessibility and Operational Issues. Comments will be accepted through December 31, 2019 and may be submitted online via PEPC or mailed to:
 Superintendent
 Elk Creek Visitor Center Rehabilitation
 Curecanti National Recreation Area
 102 Elk Creek 
 Gunnison, CO 81230 
Those who comment on this proposal should be aware that their comments, including names and home addresses, are considered public information and may be released to the public.  While commenters can request that their personal identifying information be withheld from public review, the Freedom of Information Act does not guarantee that this will be possible.