United States Rugby Foundation has recognized Glendale Mayor Mike Dunafon with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented to the mayor August 2020.
Lifetime Achievement: Glendale Mayor Mike Dunafon is receiving the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from United States Rugby Foundation in August 2020. He is shown here in Chile back in 2001 while he served as Manager of the United States U-19 National Team.
Dunafon was a football, rather than a rugby standout, in his youth. He was a star running back at Golden High School and then played at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) where he played H-back and wide receiver. Many of Dunafon’s receiving records are still intact at UNC. He was signed on as a wide receiver by the Denver Broncos in 1976, but injuries curtailed his professional career.
In 1978 he traveled down to the Caribbean island Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, where he was introduced to one of the islands’ favorite sports — rugby and he fell in love with the game’s continuous play and the camaraderie between players and teams.
Dunafon has stated that: “Rugby has had an incredible impact on my life; it’s an extended family that welcomed me instantly as I took to the pitch for the first time and it has since instilled in me an inherent respect and acceptance for people.” He went on to note, “I knew that if I could share that experience with my community, we could create something truly extraordinary that exceeds the bounds of race, religion, sex and economic standing.”
Island Paradise: Mike Dunafon, pictured here in a promotion for Village Cay Marina in the Caribbean island Tortola in 1978, the year he was introduced to the sport of rugby.
He played for British Virgin Islands RFC until 1992 when he moved back to Colorado. He also has a USA Rugby Level 3 coaching certification. From 2000 to 2001, he was the Manager of the United States U-19 National Team, taking them on three international tours to Australia, a World Cup Qualifier in Trinidad, and the 2001 Junior World Cup in Chile.
“Rugby continues to be a big part of my life and has become part of the Glendale lexicon since Infinity Park was established in 2007,” says Dunafon. “I’m thrilled to be honored by the U.S. Rugby Foundation and look forward to the August award event.”
As the only municipally-owned, rugby-specific stadium in the United States, Infinity Park has hosted teams from all over the world. According to U.S. Rugby Foundation Executive Director Brian Vizard, Dunafon’s “biggest impact on rugby in America is the development of RugbyTown USA in Glendale, Colorado.”
On May 30, 2007, then Governor Bill Ritter officially proclaimed Glendale to be the “Rugby Capital of Colorado.”
Vizard went on to note: “As Mayor of Glendale, Mike’s vision was to revitalize a community by embracing the ethos that he saw in rugby — the camaraderie, sportsmanship, and commitment to community. Infinity Park is widely considered to be the finest rugby training facility in the country. I have seen the growth of RugbyTown over the years and am truly amazed by what Mike and the City of Glendale have been able to accomplish.”
Adds Vizard, “We look forward to . . . recognizing Mike with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his over 40 years of service to the sport.”
Glendale has various men’s, women’s and under 19 teams as well as junior programs for kids of all ages. The Glendale Raptors recently withdrew from Major League Rugby wanting to concentrate on developing top players for the national team known as the American Eagles. With regard to the same, USA Rugby has moved from Boulder to Glendale which should greatly assist such an effort.
Dunafon who was reelected for another four-year term as Mayor of Glendale in April 2020, indicated that: “Glendale’s role in the world of rugby will keep on growing. As much as we have achieved over the last decade it is just the beginning. We hope that every kid who plays rugby will want to someday visit and play in RugbyTown U.S.A.”
Although Storm Gloor is known around Glendale as a city councilman who enjoys running and spending time with his family, he is also an Associate Professor for the University of Colorado, Denver’s College of Arts & Media and a devoted music fan. He was involved in the music industry for 14 years and, more recently, has been conducting research and developing courses based on Music Cities topics. Unbeknownst to Gloor, Dr. Gigi Johnson, from UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music, was conducting similar research of her own.
Storm Gloor
“Five years ago I developed the first (from what I’ve been told) Music Cities course offered in higher education and Gigi developed Music Cities curricula more recently,” Gloor explains. “I led a Music Cities research project with my students for the city of Arvada and with Cheyenne, Wyoming. She led at least one with Los Angeles and has done some amazing things.”
Gloor and Johnson initially met at a Music Biz conference, became friends, and then realized that they were both doing related research at their respective schools.
“Our collaboration began with this project starting late last year,” says Gloor. “Gigi is awesome and when she suggested that we work together I jumped at the opportunity.”
When the two professors combined their efforts, they investigated 71 cities that had commissioned studies and analyzed each city’s music ecosystem. Their extensive research was accepted for presentation at this year’s South By Southwest — an annual gathering of film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences in Austin — where they were slated to discuss connecting ideas between groups of organizations. As Gloor and Johnson planned their conference and strategized topics to cover, they realized that people and organizations all over the world were doing similar work. So they introduced those people to one another and put them on panels together. And then COVID-19 changed the world and everything was canceled.
Amplify Music Emerges
In an effort to ensure that their message was still heard, Gloor and Johnson organized a virtual gathering of stakeholders in the music economy who would focus on how communities and their ecosystems would endure the world shifting and discuss the short- and long-term effects on the music industry. The virtual gathering — now known as Amplify Music 2020 — became a 25-hour session that took place on April 23 and 24 with a new mission: bring together diverse music leaders and creators to learn and share from local artists, venues, creative communities, and support networks to address the challenges of COVID-19.
Featuring over 100 speakers and 11 central themes, the virtual event centered on the immediate future of music and how to prepare for the industry’s “new normal.”
“I think the most significant outcome is that we brought so many folks together so quickly to collaborate, share, and put the information out there to educate and provide a resource for anyone in need,” Gloor explains. “Hopefully we’ve contributed to getting through this as best we can.”
Major themes Gloor and Johnson highlighted were resilience, community, and recovery. Because the music business has historically been forced to repeatedly adapt due to disruptions caused by ever-changing technology, Gloor feels that the industry will survive the current disruption as well.
“Commercial radio did not stop people from going to see live music, home taping did not kill music, and post-Napster music consumers pay for music despite the prediction that they never would again,” he says. “In every case the industry was resilient, albeit with forced changes to the economic models. And it will be again. Music is too important to so many of us.”
Gloor continues, “That being said, all of those previous disruptions have generally been due to changing technology. We’re messing with a human virus now. Science, health and medicine, psychology, sociology, and even politics are now involved. The business will recover, though it will be painful. And the solutions, over at least the next 18 months, will now have to be sought through those lenses as well.”
What’s Next
While this unprecedented crisis is affecting most industries across the world, Gloor is confident in the resilience of the music business but acknowledges that the landscape will be different. That insight is why the conference’s format transformed from various sessions over the course of a month to 25 consecutive hours of discussion.
“There’s no doubt this has been catastrophic for the industry, particularly the live music industry,” Gloor says. “It’s tragic irony because that’s the sector that was perhaps thriving the most. For many artists it had become their main source of revenue, since sales of recordings had diminished so much and streaming has generated only a fraction of what recordings did. By the same token, live music venues were thriving. Attendance records were broken, shows were selling out more often, jobs were being created, and new venues were opening or upgrading. And then COVID.”
Though looking ahead is difficult, as the music business has already experienced significant blows with live music cancelations and venues closing indefinitely, Gloor is already seeing industry people coming up with ways to make do.
He adds, “Many folks, on both the business side and the artist side, are quickly getting creative just to stay afloat and are definitely working together. That was clear from the conversations during the conference.”
For more information on Amplify Music, and to see video recordings of all the sessions, visit www.amplifymusic.org.
Glendale City Councilman Storm Gloor is also an Associate Professor at UCD’s College of Arts & Media.
Mayor Re-Elected: Mike Dunafon was re-elected as the Mayor of Glendale for a third term on April 7, 2020.
On April 7, 2020, Glendale held its municipal election. Glendale Mayor Michael Dunafon and four incumbent Councilmembers, Storm Gloor, Rachel Binkley, Ryan Tuchscherer and Lindsey Mintz were unopposed, and the only item was the approval of a City Charter change allowing the City Manager to live 10 miles from Glendale rather than five miles. The mayor and incumbent councilmembers did not apparently take their re-election for granted. Each one gathered hundreds of signatures to get on the ballot. With only the Charter change to consider and with the election in the middle of the pandemic there were only 16 citizens casting votes with the Charter change being approved 14 to 2.
After several years of changes and setbacks, the Glendale 180 project is moving forward with a new real estate developer and a new timeline. Lincoln Property Company, a Dallas-based international real estate firm, is slated to break ground on the 268,000 square-foot mixed-used development in December 2020. An experiential retail, entertainment, hotel, and office destination, Glendale 180 will be the largest cohesive entertainment district in Colorado. It will also be among the first in the state to offer an open container law that allows for the common consumption of alcoholic beverages throughout the development. Further setting the project apart, Glendale 180 is expected to be the only entertainment district in Colorado where tenants have the ability to remain open until 4 a.m.
“The combination of Glendale’s central location and its reputation as a commercial-driven municipality makes Glendale 180 a desirable destination for the region’s growing population and businesses alike,” says Lincoln Property Company Vice President Hunter Brous. “We’re grateful to the City of Glendale for their partnership throughout this process and are eager to activate this new district with retail, dining, and entertainment experiences that are next to none.”
Founded in 1965, Lincoln Property Company is considered one of the most respected and diversified service firms in the United States. A key reason behind the City of Glendale’s decision to select the company for the Glendale 180 project was the firm’s experience with developing The Star, near Dallas, Texas, that is home to an entertainment district and the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters and training facility.
“After visiting The Star, it was clear that Lincoln Property Company understood the sports/entertainment connection and would capitalize on the relationship between Infinity Park and Glendale 180,” says Glendale City Manager Linda Cassaday.
Experience Glendale
Featuring over 21,000 square feet of office space, over 134,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, a 160-key hotel, and a 43,000-square-foot movie theater, Glendale 180 will also include free structured parking, an outdoor climbing wall, and a central outdoor plaza designed to support year-round programming.
“With Glendale 180 we are creating an experience and a gathering place,” Cassaday explains. “Major holidays will be celebrated there and people can look forward to food fairs, festivals, concerts, and fitness events. In short, we are creating a new downtown Glendale with this project.”
Bordered by Virginia Avenue to the north, Cherry Creek South Drive to the south, and Cherry Street to the east, Glendale 180’s dynamic, pedestrian-friendly design includes direct access to the Cherry Creek trail. Glendale Deputy City Manager Chuck Line says that a path will be developed to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists, and that the green space will become an integral part of the project as a whole.
New Tenants
For those wondering why Glendale 180 has taken so long to come to fruition, Cassaday says that the City of Glendale was waiting for the right developer who really understood what the project was all about. Line adds, “The City could have sold the property to a big box store but we chose not to do that because it wasn’t going to serve Glendale well. Instead, we held out for an entertainment district and we are glad we did.”
As for the retail tenants, two have signed on so far: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has leased 43,000 square feet and Food Hall by Hospitality Alliance has leased 25,000 square feet, including 10,000 square feet of patio space, for their first Colorado location.
Boasting the “best cinematic experience in the world,” Alamo Drafthouse celebrates cinema by pairing their movie-going experience with quality food and drinks. Each location is fitted with multiple types of projection equipment to accommodate both new and classic films. They show a variety of movies and the menu features burgers, pizzas, salads, snacks, and desserts prepared fresh from locally sourced ingredients. Additionally, every Alamo Drafthouse location highlights and promotes the best local craft breweries.
With offices in Las Vegas, New York, and Dallas, Hospitality Alliance is a consultancy and management group comprised of experts in different areas of the hotel and food and beverage industry. They are responsible for the Plaza Hotel Food Hall in New York City and the Discovery District redevelopment of AT&T’s new headquarters in downtown Dallas. The company also assists with concept development, leasing, construction project management, hiring, and training.
Vintage Glendale
While the experiential entertainment district is new in many ways, in other ways it’s bringing Glendale back to its roots. During the 1960s and 1970s, the city was home to a variety of now vintage establishments that attracted the masses. Colorado Mine Company (home of the “Fool’s Gold” which was Elvis’ favorite sandwich), Cork ‘N Cleaver, Celebrity Sports Center (owned by Disney), Cooper Theater, The Riviera (The Riv), Soda Straw, Sportspage, The Lift, and Tommy Wong’s Island are long gone but fondly remembered. Additionally, Andy’s Smorgasbord became Shotgun Willie’s Country Western Bar which is now Shotgun Willie’s Show Club and, almost five decades later, Bull and Bush Pub and Brewery is still a favorite.
“With this project, Glendale will regain its position as the premier entertainment hub of the metro area and we’re confident that we’ve found the right partner in Lincoln Property Company to turn that vision into a reality,” says Glendale Mayor Mike Dunafon. “From an exciting retail tenant mix and a central location to unprecedented trail access and more, Glendale 180 will usher in Colorado’s next generation of entertainment-based experiences.”
Every 10 years, United States citizens are
asked to respond to the Census which is a questionnaire designed to count the
number of people living in the country. According to the Constitution, the
results of the Census are used to determine the number of United States House
of Representatives each state is designated. Additionally, over $675 billion in
federal funds, grants, and support to states, counties, and communities is
allocated based on information gathered from the Census data. These funds are
then spent nationwide to support essential programs, roads, schools, hospitals,
and more.
State officials use Census results to
redraw the boundaries of their congressional and state legislative districts adapting
to population shifts. Exemplifying its historical significance, the first
Census was completed in 1790 — more than a year after the inauguration of
President Washington and soon before the second session of the first Congress
concluded. Because this data represents such an important part of Colorado’s
future, the United States Census Bureau is recruiting for a variety of
temporary jobs, including Census takers, to assist with the nationwide 2020
count.
“Applying to work as a Census taker is a
great way to make extra money and line up spring and summer employment ahead of
time,” says Laurie Cipriano, Media Specialist for the U.S. Department of
Commerce and U.S. Census Bureau. “Census taker positions offer flexible hours,
paid training, weekly compensation, and reimbursement for expenses such as
mileage for employees doing fieldwork.”
People of all backgrounds are encouraged to
apply, including college students and retirees who are looking for extra income
or a second job. While hourly pay rates vary by position and location, the
Arapahoe County rate is listed between $18.50 and $20.50 and Denver County is
listed as $20.50.
“Participating in the Census is extremely
important because these population changes determine the state’s representation
at the federal level and have a tremendous effect on how our state money is
allocated,” explains Greater Glendale Chamber of Commerce Chief Operating
Officer Jeff Allen. “Additionally, everyone’s responses are protected by law
and cannot be shared with a federal or state agency.”
Deemed the largest peacetime deployment of
civil servants across the country, the Census counts every person living in the
United States as of April 1, 2020, which is officially designated as Census
Day. By this date, most homes will receive an invitation to participate online,
by phone, or by mail. For households that do not self-respond, the national
door-to-door enumeration begins in May and ends in July. Additionally, for the
first time ever, citizens have the option to fill out the form online making
the process easy, safe, and secure.
For those interested in Census taker positions, the selection process is underway, with paid training occurring in March and April. Visit www.2020census.gov/jobs for more information.
Walmart Stores, Inc., the parent company of
retail behemoth Walmart, is suing half the counties in Colorado to lower its
property tax bills based on a shady legal idea known simply as the “Dark Store
Theory.”
Largest Retailer: Walmart has 96 locations throughout Colorado, making it the largest retailer in the state.
The theory says that the property value of
a closed down big-box retailer store should be tied to the traditional real
estate sales approach, where valuation is determined by the stores surrounding
it. Under this theory, a Walmart store that is listed for sale for $11 million
while a Hobby Lobby nearby is on the market for $5 million would be overvalued.
But assessors argue that this theory
completely misconstrues what gives a property its value: location. Walmart has
a long history of opening stores in areas that are strategically important to
the company, whether it provides logistical efficiency or a larger labor pool.
This strategy makes the company’s property more valuable because of the
web-like network that comes with it.
Walmart contends that its business
practices should not weigh into the valuation of its stores, and that argument
has gained little traction recently. In July, Colorado’s Board of Equalization
(BOE), the agency that sets property tax values across the state, denied
Walmart’s property tax complaint. This rejection prompted the retailer to issue
its lawsuits in county courts.
In August, a judge in Pulaski County,
Arkansas, rebuked Walmart’s argument that the company should pay fewer property
taxes because their stores are retrofitted to the company’s specific needs and,
therefore, cannot fetch a fair price on the open market.
The case in Pulaski County concerned a 2017
tax assessment of $145 million between Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Neighborhood
Market. Walmart tried to reduce the total assessed property value to $93.8
million, and then slashed the value to $74.3 million, a 48 percent drop.
Opponents argue that if Walmart prevails in
this argument, then the value of an empty store would be set by a vacant lot in
a different state.
Walmart’s Littleton-based attorney Brian
Huebsch tried to find a way around this impasse by arguing that Colorado county
assessors did not account for the store’s 24-hour operability into their
valuations. This causes the company to replace items such as cash registers and
furniture used in daily operations more frequently than other businesses.
Huebsch declined requests to comment on
this story, saying that he doesn’t comment on open cases.
The lawsuit also argues that Walmart is
experiencing difficulty reselling these items because other retailers are
closing, thereby reducing demand and value of the goods.
La Plata County’s assessor Carrie Woodson
told The Durango Herald that she and her staff have not seen evidence of
Walmart reselling its property, despite monitoring the company’s operations for
several years. In fact, Woodson asserts, she believes Walmart is actually just
throwing away their damaged products, making them fully exposed to being taxed.
Over $4.5 million in school district
funding was at stake in the Pulaski case while only $20,000 is at stake in La
Plata.
In Arapahoe County, Walmart sought to
recoup nearly $29 million in property taxes on eight stores located in Aurora,
Centennial, and Englewood. The company argued that “economic depression” of its
furniture and point of sale systems (POS) warranted a 25 percent reduction in
its tax value. Arapahoe County ended up settling the case with Walmart for a
12.8 percent reduction in its tax assessment, essentially handing the company
$14 million.
Other assessors, both in and out of
Colorado, are saying that this tactic is a symptom of a larger disease
spreading throughout corporate America. Namely, that megacorporations are
attempting to use their financial might to beat small counties into submission
in order to lower their property taxes.
One study by CityLab found that over 230
similar property tax claims have been filed across the U.S. since 2015, most of
which ask for a 50 percent reduction in tax assessments. However, a majority of
the claims were settled for 15 percent reductions because counties simply
cannot afford the cost of litigating the claims for as long as corporations
can.
Smaller counties typically feel the brunt
of this argument because of their fiscal constraints. However, all 32 Colorado
counties currently have plans to defend each other when the lawsuits are
brought before a judge.
Walmart brought in over $514 billion in total revenue, and employed over 2.2 million people across the country in 2019. The company earned a gross profit of $126 billion from its revenue. This represents a two-percent increase in profit from 2018. Walmart’s gross profits have increased every year since 1995.
