Dear Action Line,
What's up with the old Boker Lumber site? It's been on and off the market for years. And now it has a shiny new sign, but no one seems to know what's up. – Eagle-eyed
Dear Eagle-eyed,
It’s a treat when there’s a new development to discuss in years-old Durango sagas. The Boker Lumber site is one of those sagas that pops up in the news and civic life every so often, but the concrete pad at the bottom of Goeglein Gulch Road still sits vacant.
Housing developments have been proposed there but access to the property is a nightmare. There would likely need to be a traffic light or some change to Goeglein Gulch, and what about the already tight East Ninth Avenue?
For those who aren’t sure the location we are talking about, there used to be a DIY skatepark there which was, in our opinion, a much better use than empty concrete and tumbleweeds. Currently, there are a couple of trails coming off the mesa that allow mountain bikers to plunge down to the concrete after riding in Horse Gulch. In the past year, there was a shipping container and security cameras placed there, but those have since been removed.
That brings us to the Hope Farm sign, which must have been placed there in the past month or two. There is an organization in Texas called Hope Farm, a “a leadership program guiding at-risk boys to become Christ-centered men of integrity.” When reached by Action Line, they said they had no relation to the sign in Durango.
Searching Google for “Hope Farm” and “Community Land Trust” bring up nothing of use either. Perhaps it’s a community garden of some sort?
The property hasn’t been sold recently. It’s still owned by ILPEA Opportunity Fund LLC, according to the county assessor – not to be confused with La Plata Electric Association. The contact we could find for ILPEA is Kent A. Lang, a lawyer in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Kent’s office sent Action Line the following statement: “ILPEA Opportunity Fund is currently working on plans for the property at 960 E. College Drive. However, at this time it would be premature to communicate any further details. We will be able to give you further information in the future as ILPEA’s plans for this property are developed.”
So, we’re currently at a bit of a dead end. Action Line just hopes that some answers sprout up from the soil of Durango’s mysteries.
Just down the street, readers may have noticed that the Horse Gulch trailhead parking lot is closed. (The trailhead is still open, however.) The closure is a part of construction needed to fully build out Durango Mesa Park. A waterline is being installed from east Third Street up to the Mesa, and Ewing Mesa Road is being completely redone too. There will also be a new intersection where Ewing Mesa Road meets Colorado Highway 3 to accommodate recreationalists and eventgoers.
No events will happen on the Mesa this year – which includes the two-year-old Durango Derby mountain bike race, which is going on hiatus until 2026.
If you want to go to Horse Gulch, you can park in adjacent neighborhoods, or better yet, ride or hike from your house.
Much like the Animas River Trail construction, things like this are never convenient, but they’ll make for nicer amenities in the future. One thing’s for certain, change is coming to the South Side.
Do you know what Hope Farm is? Email me at actionline@durangoherald.com or mail questions to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301.
