Construction on a new commercial building could break ground by the end of this year in north Durango.
Demolition of a vacant building located at 3211 Main Ave. began in December with the intent to build a 3,000-square-foot commercial office building. The owner of the property is 32nd Main Gateway LLC, with the registered agent listed as Daniel Vagasky.
“We're just trying to get it back to a level gravel lot,” Vagasky said. “And then pausing there, until we have our architecture and engineering finished and approved with the city.”
Vagasky said he hopes the project is complete sometime in 2025. The building will be part of a larger project to create a business park from the 3211 Main location to the newly renovated former La Plata Family Medicine building at 3235 Main Ave., just north of the construction site.
Currently, Adela Flora operates out of the 3235 Main Ave. location, and Vagasky has received inquiries from a periodontist practice about in leasing the space. Vagasky said there aren’t any potential users for the 3211 Main Ave. location yet, in part because he is awaiting city approval on the building’s layout.
“There's really high occupancy for commercial buildings in Durango, he said. “And while there's a few older buildings, it's tough to find a modern space that’s available for businesses.”
The previous building at 3211 Main Ave. had been vacant for five to 10 years, Vagasky said. He said he had heard rumors that it was a “3.2% beer bar” during the 60s and 70s but no one has utilized the space in quite some time.
The building had been vacant for so long it began to collapse, which is why it was important for demolition crews to start in early December 2023 before heavy snowfall arrived.
He said it has been a challenge to make sure the property and building layout meet the city’s and Colorado Department of Transportation’s requirements. He added the property is in a prime location for businesses because of its access to Main Avenue and 32nd Street.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
