Chain-link fence surrounds 2 ½ blocks of empty businesses, homes and vacant lots on the southern end of downtown Loveland.

Soon, the site will be nothing but level ground — an empty canvas of sorts — from which a new identity can rise.

The South Catalyst Project is expected to turn neglected city blocks into offices and stores, a five-screen movie theater, apartments, a parking garage and a central plaza similar to, but larger than, Fort Collins’ Old Town Square.

The project continues the downtown renaissance that began with the completion of the Rialto Theater Center, Lincoln Place, The Gallery Flats and a host of new eateries, brewpubs and galleries. Helped along by the city’s vision and wallet, a new look and feel for downtown is beginning to emerge.

Loveland is negotiating with Fort Collins developer Brinkman Partners to bring the estimated $60 million project to life. The parties have until mid-August to finalize negotiations, including who pays for what, the final site plan and a construction timetable.

Brinkman is the same developer that built The Gallery Flats mixed-use redevelopment project on North Lincoln Avenue in 2014.

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