Our Vision #5: Early Art Integration [1/4]

Roof Tarps

Many of the buildings on the town site and mill site are currently degrading due to inadequate roofing, and the community has considered installing tarps as a short-term solution. This presents an opportunity to embellish the site with creative tarps in lieu of plain blue ones.

Protective vinyl tarps could be printed with images or information related to future creative enhancements of the site. For example, one tarp may showcase how the water storage tank may be transformed into a camera obscura. Alternatively, tarps could display historical imagery of miners who once worked at the Ute Ulay. This imagery could be provided by the historical society or created by an arts group or class. After the tarps are used, they can be transformed into tote bags as a fundraiser.

protective and decorative tarps

Our Vision #4: Bioremediation

Bioremediation Research Center

Phyto- or green remediation looks to nature to help clean up contaminated soils. It is cheaper and of lower impact than more traditional remediation methods. In particular, phytoremediation uses plants to draw heavy metals out of the soil.  Although this process has not been scientifically proven to treat lead contamination, there are scientists who think it might be possible.  A cheap and quick-to-construct hoop house on top of a small area of lead-heavy tailings could serve as a research center for phytoremediation techniques.

Our Vision #3: Art and Educational Programming

Art and Educational Programming Precedent

A wide variety of educational opportunities could be offered at the Ute Ulay. Toward this aim, a central building for staff, storage, and small group meetings could be located in a new structure behind the headframe.

The Ute Ulay holds the potential for educational programming for all ages and could include opportunities for school groups, workshops, and university research, as well as the casual tourist. Educational tools include creative signage, historically sensitive design, and tours. Text and images can be embedded throughout the site and sourced from an interdisciplinary array of poetry, diaries, maps, history, and science. 

Our Vision #2: Ground Stabilization and Grading

Ground stabilization and grading is key to both the town site and the mill site. Grading should facilitate walkways to all elements of the site. The layout and overall planning of the site should be considered before work commences. As much as possible the site should be fully accessible.

We strongly recommend that retaining walls are made with gabion walls instead of concrete or engineered block. Gabions should use on-site waste rock material. The rock may be sorted for color and size and placed in layers that reference site geology. An artist could be engaged to design the stratified gabions.

ground stabilization and grading

Thoughtfully expanded parking is a necessary part of a future vision for the Ute Ulay.  There are a few possible parking sites that are minimally visible from the road and will not significantly change a visitor’s first experience of the site.  Relative invisibility, as well as safety and convenience, is a priority.

expanded parking