VAIL — As the Solaris development takes shape on Meadow Drive, local business owners and pedestrians are generally excited about what the building will bring to Vail.

Many say the project is big, some call it massive, but the overall consensus is that the public benefits are greater than the building's size.

Mike French, a salesman at the Bag and Pack Shop, directly across Meadow Drive from Solaris, said Solaris will hopefully revitalize the neighborhood.

“These businesses are going to do a lot better,” French said. “Hopefully this will be Vail's new central hub.”

French's coworker, Clay Walberg, agrees that the project will energize the area, but he thinks it's just too large.

“It's kind of a gigantic eye sore,” Walberg said. “We used to be able to see mountain (outside the window), now we see building.”

That said, he likes what the project is bringing to town — a bowling alley, movie theaters, a public plaza and ice rink.

That's exactly what Craig Cohn, the project's sales director, tells people who say it's too big — that the project couldn't have provided the amenities it's providing without its size.

Cohn revealed several retailers set to move into Solaris Wednesday, including Betteridge Jewelers, Alpine Bank, Vail Fine Art Gallery, American Design Galley, Slifer Real Estate, Generation Vail (a kids' ski apparel shop), and of course, the bowling alley and movie theater.

Cohn said he is excited about the quality of the building and is happy people can see it now.

“The materials used on this building are the highest quality for a commercial building,” he said. “I'm hearing very positive responses.”

Bryan Hutchinson, the owner of Pazzo's Pizzeria, also right across from Solaris, is thrilled about the upcoming opening. He said he and his wife voted for the project and can't wait for the public benefits. He's raising his children in Vail and is excited there will be things like a bowling alley, ice rink and movie theater right in town.

“It's awesome — it's going to be beautiful,” Hutchinson said. “I felt we really needed something to do here in Vail.”

Hutchinson has high hopes the public plaza area will be the new draw in Vail, bringing people to the neighborhood and, of course, into his business. He's already enjoyed some benefits during the construction process — workers have been eating in his restaurant almost daily throughout the construction.

He thinks Solaris could be the new place for outdoor concerts, too. It's the perfect venue, he said.

“This is going to be good for the town,” Hutchinson said.

Aaron and Brit Savage were sitting in front of Solaris Wednesday afternoon — the couple is in town from Ohio, and Aaron Savage has been coming to Vail since 1973. They knew the project had to be done, because redeveloping the Crossroads area was necessary, but they agree the building is too tall.

“We think it blocks the views of the mountains,” Brit Savage said.

Mason Davey, who works at Eye Pieces of Vail, across from Solaris, thinks the building is looking beautiful. What's also beautiful is the business Davey thinks it will bring to Eye Pieces and other businesses nearby.

“I think it's coming along great,” he said. “I voted for it in the election.”

As Janis Von Rueden walked by Solaris Wednesday with her daughter, the two commented on the building's beauty, too. Von Rueden, from Littleton, said her family used to own a condo just across the street.

“I think it looks gorgeous,” she said.

Steve and Liz Virion, owners of La Bottega, which is down the block from Solaris, are excited about the vitality in the neighborhood. Liz Virion thinks Solaris and the Four Seasons will make Meadow Drive the “Fifth Avenue of Vail.”

Across the street at Due Luca Bruno, a designer clothing store, owner Luca Bruno is just happy the construction will soon be over and that Vail can get back to business.

“I think it's positive for everybody,” Bruno said. “It's time to bring back the economy.”



Community Editor Lauren Glendenning can be reached at 970-748-2983 or lglendenning@vaildaily.com.