An endeavor of this magnitude has required the collective expertise and good faith of many individuals. Challenged and inspired by their common vision, diverse constituencies – ranging from private citizens and design professionals to nonprofit leaders and elected officials – negotiated a series of steps to ready the old Carbondale Elementary School for its renovation. In October 2008, the Town of Carbondale and the Roaring Fork RE-1 School District completed a land swap that brought the school and the land under the Town’s ownership. The Town subsequently executed a renewable 49-year lease with the Third Street Center Nonprofit Board of Directors, allowing years of planning to move to the tangible reality of renovating the building.

Flooded with natural light, animated by art, and filled with innovative green design elements, the Third Street Center provides an attractive, productive environment for its tenants. Shared spaces, such as a board room, break areas, and community room, further conserve resources by reducing the amount of space tenants must lease individually to conduct their programs. Additionally, these common spaces foster a culture of collaboration that has synergistic benefits for the community at large.