Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Latest southern Colorado news, weather and sports from FOX21 News

Mild weather pushes construction projects forward
Posted: 12.03.2012 at 9:38 PM
Sam Baranowski

Sam is a general assignment reporter for FOX21 News.

0
Blueprints are becoming reality quicker as mild weather allows more outdoor work.  / FOX21 News: Kurt Story
Photo

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Mother Nature has been smiling on Southern Colorado with unseasonable weather. Temperatures have been in the 60's the past few weeks and are 5 degrees higher on average than they should be this time of year.

In our rapidly growing city, many construction projects are in full swing and this weather means contractors are seeing more days on the job and are getting work done sooner.

"Since we started I think we've had one day of rain that's stopped us," Mark Whitmoyer, owner of the soon-to-open "Snack Shack" at the intersection of Powers and Dublin Blvd.

"Thank you for 300 days of Colorado sun, and that we've got them all while i'm building!" he added, "It's been great."

From the foundation to the finishing touches the construction of his convenience store and gas station, complete with a Pita Pit and liquor store, was set to take four months.

His contractor said unseasonable weather has been pushing their progress forward.

"We joke about the weather we say this is not december in Colorado. We're waiting for that shoe to drop and for the weather to come in and stop us."

Whitmoyer said the dry, warm fall is letting him open this shop right when he wanted to.

So far nothing's stopping them or their newly constructed neighbors at the previously empty intersection that the Powers rush seemed to skip right over.

"We couldn't believe that there was nothing up here, or there wasn't at the time," Whitmoyer said of his decision to build at the corner of the major thoroughfare.

Then the boom came.

"Dion's just opened up this weekend. Taco Bell is right next door. Burger King went up earlier this year," he said, "This whole corridor is growing pretty quick. We weren't the only ones who realized this was an underserved area."

Top that list off with a Legends Miniature Golf across the street, and the speedy work schedule around this weather is turning a once empty area into a necessary stop.

Whitmoyer and his wife said without winter weather holding them back, they'll be able to open "The Snack Shack" in the upcoming week.

Popular Stories
Thumbnail
Aww! Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has a baby boom!
John Martin  |  Today at 7:00 AM  |  1 comment
Thumbnail
16-year-old girl leads Springs police on high-speed chase
Travis Ruiz   |  Yesterday at 11:09 AM  |  1 comment
Thumbnail
Update: Wildlife officials capture, euthanize coyotes
Rachel Welte  |  Today at 8:00 AM  |  1 comment
Follow FOX21
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
FOX21 Deals
Deals to area restaurants and businesses
Pledge of Allegiance
Elementary school students say today's pledge
Home and Garden
Home and garden tips
Financial Services
Experts in financial planning
ADVERTISEMENT