Whether to reuse an existing shell or build new is the first cost question on a Brush industrial site, and we price both before an owner commits. A reused building saves foundation and frame cost but carries unknowns in the structure, the roof and the systems. A new building costs more up front but delivers the clear height, door count and floor you specify. We survey the existing conditions, price the conversion and set it against a new shell of the same size.
The Brush Industrial Park off I-76 contains a 272-bed correctional complex that has been vacant from 2010 onward. We make no claim about its availability or condition, but a vacant institutional complex in an industrial park is exactly the kind of asset an owner should evaluate. Cell blocks do not convert to warehouses easily, so demolition and a new slab on the same pad may beat reuse.
For tenants who want the location, not the legacy building, we build new space sized to their needs.
Reuse, demolition or new: the numbers
Demolition, hazardous-material surveys and site clearing can consume a large share of a conversion budget. A thick-walled concrete or masonry building is slow to cut and haul away, and a survey for lead paint or asbestos is part of due diligence. We obtain those costs first, then compare them with the cost of clean ground and a new spec warehouse shell.
On a new building, cost follows clear height, dock doors, insulation and the sprinkler system. Because the town is small and the market is regional, we advise against overbuilding. A 30,000 to 80,000 square foot building with room to grow is often a safer bet than a large speculative box, and we show the owner both options with costs.
Financing and appraisal also shape the decision. A lender underwriting a spec building in a small market will want to see a credible lease-up, a realistic rent and a contractor who can hold the price. We provide a line-item budget, a schedule with milestones and a list of allowances so the lender and the owner read the same document. Where the owner wants a fixed price, we say which items are firm and which depend on soil conditions or utility capacity.
What a new building here includes
A new Brush warehouse begins with site clearing, grading and utilities, then the foundation, slab and structure. We recommend a pre-engineered steel frame or tilt-wall panels depending on size and use. The envelope is insulated to the energy requirements in force, and the roof is selected for the wind conditions of the plains. Docks, overhead doors and the truck court follow the tenant's program.
Utilities in an industrial park can be partially in place, but capacity and location need to be verified. We request letters from the water, sewer and electric providers and map the stubs to the building pad. Where an extension is needed, it appears as its own line item in the budget under our site utilities package.
Buildings for farm products and regional freight
Agriculture and ranching, including the annual sugar beet crop, make up a large part of the Brush economy, which had 5,339 residents in 2020. Seasonal crops create seasonal storage peaks, and a warehouse that serves them needs generous receiving and shipping space, ventilation and floors that stand up to heavy equipment. We build manufacturing and processing buildings as well as dry storage for the supply chain around them.
Brush at 4,239 ft elevation is linked to Denver by I-76, about 93 miles away, to Greeley and Loveland by US 34, and to Fort Morgan by Business Loop 76. A regional distributor can use that reach to serve several towns from one building. Where the volume justifies it, we add rack-supported buildings for storage to use height efficiently.
Interchange, route and truck turning
I-76 passes just north of Brush with an interchange at State Highway 71 (exit 90). That interchange is the gateway for most trucks, and we check the path from each parcel to it. The details we test include road width, intersection geometry and the distance a loaded trailer needs to accelerate to highway speed.
Because Brush sits between Fort Morgan and the Front Range, owners often compare it with sites farther east, such as Sterling, or west. We prepare a short comparison of land cost, haul distance and labor availability, and we are candid when another location is the better choice. If a farm-products tenant is the target, proximity to the field may matter more than proximity to the metro.
Demolition and open-ground safety
If a project includes demolition, we begin with a written plan: utility disconnects, hazardous-material abatement by licensed firms, dust control and debris routes. Structural demolition near occupied properties needs an engineer's sequence and monitoring. We do not start until the surveys are complete and the plan is accepted.
On open plains ground, wind is a daily concern. We set limits for crane and sheeting work, and we secure materials at the end of each shift. Site crews are briefed for heat and cold, and the site plan includes first aid, water and a muster point. For owners in manufacturing and distribution, the same standards carry into occupancy.
Tell us about the parcel or building
Send the site or the existing building, your use and the size you need. We will return a scope, a schedule and a budget range, with a reuse-versus-new comparison where it applies.
Common Questions
Is reusing an existing industrial building cheaper than building new?
Sometimes, but not always. Reuse saves on structure, but it brings costs for demolition, abatement, roof repair and system upgrades. We survey the building and give you both numbers before you decide.
What would I need to check before buying land in the industrial park?
Utility capacity, access to the I-76 interchange, zoning, soil conditions and any restrictions recorded on the parcel. We help with the checklist and price the site work, so you know the total cost before closing.
How far is Brush from the main markets?
Brush is about 93 miles from Denver by I-76, links to Greeley and Loveland by US 34 and connects to Fort Morgan by Business Loop 76. We compare haul times with other sites for your product.
Can you design for seasonal crop storage?
Yes. We design for the peak, with extra dock positions, staging space and ventilation. The building can be shaped so part of it serves year-round use and part serves the seasonal peak.
How do I decide between a metal frame and tilt-wall?
Metal frames are quicker and cheaper for smaller buildings and wide clear spans. Tilt-wall is more durable and offers better fire resistance for larger buildings. We price both for your program.