Indian Peaks Elementary School’s Sugar Beet Mill Project

During Longmont’s most recent comprehensive plan update in 2016, the The Great Western Sugar Mill buildings and surrounding land were identified as a priority for redevelopment, and GUB was invited to identify a community partner who would be the end users of future redevelopment plans. An excellent partnership was found with the third grade community of teachers and students at Indian Peaks Elementary School, a bi-lingual STEM school where 90% of families receive free or reduced lunch services. Having an instructional focus on design thinking, creativity, and innovation, at the end of the 8 week project, students built prototypes of their recommendations. Too numerous to list here (see report), student recommendations centered on showcasing the history of the factory, active play, affordable housing, and family friendly amenities not already found in Longmont.