FORT COLLINS, CO The oldest barn in Northern Colorado will soon receive preservation upgrades, converting the 150-year-old landmark into a beautiful and functional conference center. Fort Collins, Colorado, -based Woodward, Inc. has hired Bryan Construction, Inc. and design team alm2s to complete the rehabilitation work necessary to preserve the historical significance of a community treasure.

"We are excited to be the selected contractor to complete the Coy Barn renovation. Fort Collins embodies a rich history, and our Fort Collins employees appreciate the significance the Coy Barn holds in the community," said Todd Blanks, Bryan Construction Fort Collins Executive Manager.

The barn will be transformed into a small conference center, and the milk house will be used for a bicycle loan program and repair shop.

Built in the 1860s, the barn is a unique combination of Western Prairie Barn and New York Dutch Barn styles, and is the only masonry barn still standing in Fort Collins. Because of its solid foundation of stone and heavy timber support system, the structure has stood the test of time.

Bryan Construction, Inc. is well versed in historical rehabilitation, and is confident in their ability to rehabilitate and renovate the Coy Barn. Their previous work includes the rehabilitation of J. Pitner Clothing Company (Fort Collins); Stryker Corporate Offices (Fort Collins); Bellvue General Store (Bellvue, Colorado); Lyons Train Depot (Lyons, Colorado); Colorado College's Arthur House and Van Briggle Transportation (Colorado Springs, Colorado); F.E. Warren Air Force Base's Historic Building 248 (Cheyenne, Wyoming); and the century-old First Congregational Church (Colorado Springs). All of these projects are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and required collaboration with entities such as the State Historical Fund and local Historic Preservation Offices. The projects were completed to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings, with some using Colorado State Historical Grant Funds.

"We all have our own memories of this highly recognizable landmark," said Blanks. "Our team understands the historical importance of the barn to the Northern Colorado region, and we are honored to have this opportunity. Woodward has created a wonderful preservation plan and we look forward to building a space that will maintain the historical attributes of the barn for another 150 years."