Elite competitors will have a new avenue to showcase their athletic talent. Taking place November 17 through 21, Glendale is hosting an invitation-only crossover camp that is designed to attract top athletes from non-rugby sports and teach them how to play rugby. The brainchild of Glendale’s Director of Rugby and Manager Mark Bullock, the crossover camp will focus on recruiting American athletes who could become star rugby players.
Photo by Justin Purdy
“The majority of elite athletes in the USA were playing university sports and then would go on to the NFL, NBA, NHL, or the Olympics for track and field, wrestling etc., if good enough,” Bullock explains. “The thought was, why not recruit those elite athletes to rugby once they have completed their university eligibility and/or were cut from professional teams.”
According to Bullock, other rugby teams are at the top of the world rankings because they have elite athletes playing for them. Conversely, the USA has done poorly in the Rugby World Cup over the years because the competitors have been good rugby players but not top athletes. He adds, “We want to change the equation. In the past, our top USA Men’s National Team players have all come from other sports.” By effectively converting elite athletes (who have previously been in scholarship university sports programs) into rugby players, Bullock hopes to mold them into World Cup-worthy competitors.
New Method Of Recruitment
For those unfamiliar with the rugby world, and to use pop culture as an example, the notion of an athlete crossing over from one sport to the other has historically gone well. In The Cutting Edge, a college hockey star trains hard and becomes a gold medal-winning Olympic figure skater and, in Cool Runnings, track runners work hard and become a competitive bobsled team. But in real life, some might question whether or not a former track star, or former hockey, basketball, or baseball player can turn into a competitive rugby player. Based on the trial camp Bullock ran in 2018, he is confident it will work.
“We trained for a week and then played in the Aspen Ruggerfest where we lost our first two matches but improved each game,” he remembers. “The last two matches we won quite readily as the players got better acquainted with the game, and how it is played, demonstrating that we can make the transition. Now our goal is to transition the players into a professional team to ultimately compete in a foreign competition and develop players for the USA National Team.”
In preparation for the crossover camp, Bullock and his staff created a database comprised of approximately 3,000 athletes from collegiate football, basketball, wrestling, track and field, along with players from the NFL, XFL, CFL, and other sports. Additionally, similar to Cool Runnings, Bullock and his staff have worked with the USA bobsled program and learned about how they recruited crossover athletes for their program. By researching university athletic program websites, coach contacts, NFL websites, and team sites, they were able to accumulate a comprehensive list of athletes and then watched video, spoke to coaches, and found methods to contact the players who fit their criteria.
Photo by Seth McConnell
Intriguing Sport
When asked whether these athletes are excited about rugby or if they know anything about the sport coming into the camp, Bullock says that so far, he has seen a mix. He explains, “Some have played, some have seen the sport, and others have just heard of it. One example is a wrestler, who recently graduated from Stanford, told us he was intrigued by the sport and really liked the ‘pile of guys in the middle,’ referring to a scrum. And he wanted to be right in the middle of it.”
Another example comes straight from the Glendale coaching staff. Defense Coach and Director of Amateur Rugby Luke Gross was a Division One basketball player on scholarship at Marshall University and was randomly asked to play rugby while he was a graduate student. He accepted the offer and within a year he was on the USA National Team, earned a contract to play professionally in Europe, and ultimately played 12 years as a professional rugby player in England, Wales, and Italy.
Talent Goes A Long Way
Overall, Bullock’s goal for the crossover camp is to offer players professional contracts following the camp, and for these players to develop to the point where they are able to represent the USA and make the team a contender at the Rugby World Cup. He says he expects a minimum of 40 athletes to attend the camp and contract offers will depend on performance during the camp.
“This is an experiment and we have a hypothesis that we can convert crossover elite athletes to become a high-performing rugby team,” Bullock explains. “Not all hypotheses work out 100 percent but we will adjust and learn along the way, just as the athletes we will be introducing to the game will learn.”
While county jails across the country were restricting inmate phone calls, video chats with family members, and in-person visits because of COVID-19, staff at the Denver County Jail found new ways to keep their inmates connected to their systems of support.
Remote Visits: Remote visit capabilities for inmates were expanded to seven days per week.
Relying on mobile hotspots for Wi-Fi, jail staff allowed inmates to use laptops and tablets to converse with their support system outside the jail, at times for free or at a reduced rate.
Funding for the program came from a $340,000 grant from the Caring for Colorado Foundation and Denver City Council, which approved the purchase of additional video and phone monitoring software from Securus Technology, LLC, less than one month after Mayor Hancock issued his public health emergency declaration in March.
Major Rick Guerrero, who oversees operations of the county jail, credits the decision to decrease the inmate population and the facilities’ sanitation protocols were the keys to successfully implementing this program.
“We are very sensitive to the needs of our community and those in our care, especially in uncertain times like during the pandemic,” he told the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle in an interview. “That’s why it was so important for us to build strong bridges and make sure inmates didn’t lose their ability to connect with the outside world.”
A report authored by the Prison Policy Initiative (PPI) in September found the pandemic caused detention facilities in several states to restrict inmate communication programs like free phone and video calls and family visits.
“The stress of the pandemic means that most families need more communication than normal,” the report reads. “People with friends or family behind bars need to stay up to date on their loved ones’ health and provide emotional support, especially given that chronic illnesses that make people vulnerable to the virus are more common behind bars.”
Fully Operational: The phone lines at Denver’s Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center remained in operation from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, even when the jail experienced its most serious COVID outbreaks over the summer.
Carrie Stanley, DSD’s program director, added another layer to this analysis, describing the responses as counterproductive and especially harmful to inmates with mental health or substance abuse issues facing strenuous reentry programs.
“People are worried about what was happening in the community, about how to connect with people over the internet versus going into their offices,” she told the Chronicle. “Successful reentry programs rely on keeping inmates in connection with positive support systems.”
Phone Calls
The report found county jails in states like Alaska, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, that had completely ended phone calls for their inmates.
Meanwhile the phone lines at Denver’s Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center remained in operation from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, even when the jail experienced its most serious COVID outbreaks over the summer.
Inmates placed in administrative segregation were allowed the same communication privileges as inmates in general population.
Guerrero says the lower inmate counts allowed county jail staff to closely ensure inmates practiced social distancing at the phones. Inmates and staff also split responsibility for cleaning the phones three to four times per day.
However, increased supervision was not the only cost borne by connecting inmates with their support systems. PPI’s report found that “one in three families with an incarcerated loved one go into debt paying for phone calls and visits, and half struggle to pay for basic housing and food needs.”
Securus charges a fee per minute usage to inmates who call their families via telephone or video service. The average cost of a 15-minute call in Colorado is $14.85, well above the national average cost of $5.74, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.
In Denver, phone calls cost $.08 per minute and $9 for a 30-minute video call.
“In-person” Visits
It’s been 15 years since inmates in Denver County Jail could hug their loved ones during visits. Instead, visitors come to the jail lobby to use a phone and video system that connects to the housing units.
Report: A report by the Prison Policy Initiative (PPI) found the pandemic caused detention facilities in several states to restrict inmate communication programs like free phone and video calls and family visits.
Under normal circumstances, these visits are 30 minutes long and are only allowed from Friday to Sunday between 12 and 8 p.m. Visits at the Downtown Detention Center are similarly restricted.
Once the pandemic hit in late March, DSD restricted visitor access to their lobby and increased inmate visitations to 7 days per week, thereby creating a need to expand their remote visit capabilities.
Securus provided DSD with coupons for free virtual visits so families without computers can still visit with inmates. Between April and June, DSD gave out 450 coupons, according to Stanley.
Securus also provided compassion credits to inmates with family members who were ill or who had passed for free video calls.
“The people in our care often don’t have access to their family members for most of the time they’re here,” Stanley said. “In terms of the pandemic, we saw an increase in inmate family members who got sick or passed.”
To help inmates grieve, DSD individualized its chaplain services. Before the pandemic, as many as 20 inmates could see the Chaplain at the same time. Now, DSD only allows eight in a room together and has suspended all volunteer religious providers.
Kites And Staff Communications
Inmates don’t just communicate with people outside detention facilities. In Denver, inmates use a color-coded kite system to communicate their needs with jail staff. Inmates submit a yellow kite to communicate a problem with staff and a green kite for health services requests, according to the inmate handbook.
Kites are sent to responsive departments depending on the request. For example, all kites concerning communications with the phones or video chat lines are directed to the Accounting Department.
Stanley said the jail maintained enough staff to process kite requests, and improved their efficiency in many cases.
“Our people were keenly aware of the need for communication. There’s really a lot of compassion on this team,” she said. “We know this pandemic has increased anxiety for many people in our care, so we had to increase our efforts.”
Stanley and her team also addressed inmate anxieties by increasing their rounds in the housing units from once a month to once per week. This allowed program staff to take a more personalized approach to their jobs, and gave inmates more chances to ask program staff about reentry programs, lining up a safe home, and other means of survival outside of jail.
“The pandemic has really taught us that people respond better if you focus on them as an individual rather than as a group or housing unit,” Stanley said.
In a year when tensions between police departments and the general public are at an all-time high, the notion of appointing individuals to act as liaisons between cops and civilians sounds like a smart, albeit complicated idea. Community Resource Officers (CROs) are assigned to do exactly that and are commissioned to address the non-emergency concerns of citizens ranging from issues such as neighborhood awareness, personal safety and reporting crimes after the fact.
Work Together: To affect positive change, citizens and cops may have to learn to work together.
This year has no doubt been especially challenging for CROs, as law enforcement at large is being subjected to hyper-focused scrutiny from mainstream news sources, alternative media outlets and many sectors of the general public. While it is true that the terrible actions of the few have sullied the perception of the character of the many, effective law enforcement holds an ever-crucial role in American society.
Apply A Bit Of Objective Reason
The cry to “defund the police” some citizens argue is an ill-conceived notion that, if legislated upon, would lead to extreme danger. They see a society without law enforcement, especially one as armed, addicted, and mentally afflicted as America, would quickly deteriorate into a dystopian dust bowl of lawlessness. Yet, the current climate is placing unprecedented pressure on police departments nationwide to acknowledge, address, and correct the long-standing stigmas of racism, murder, corruption and inadequate responses to common situations.
Oftentimes, the above stereotypes are perpetuated because police officers are dispatched to circumstances which they are not trained to handle such as ongoing domestic disputes, disagreements between neighbors and mentally challenged individuals who are under extreme duress. Such instances highlight the importance of CROs, and how engaging with them can help residents understand when making a 9-1-1 call is the right move and when a non-emergency situation can be handled through more effective means. Perhaps most importantly, the Denver Police Department (denvergov.org) offers a comprehensive neighborhood watch program,
Officers: Denver Community Resource Officers.
Find Out What’s Going On
Believe it or not, some citizens may not realize that some “call 9-1-1” situations can be avoided through crime prevention. Denver Community Resource Officers hold regular meetings via their respective district headquarters which are open to the public. Due to Covid-19 precautions, these meetings have been temporarily switched to online Zoom format — hosted by specific neighborhood organizations. Regardless, these meetings are designed to equip residents with ample “Neighborhood Watch” signage for deterring residential crime and to provide crucial information on crime rates and the most recent trends in theft. Further, the DPD website offers comprehensive information on pinpointing and reporting gang activity, graffiti removal, crime statistics and maps, anonymous reporting, volunteer-operated neighborhood “Cop Shops,” victim services and more. Recently, Community Resource Officer for District 3, Kate Young, met with Baker residents in a socially distanced outdoor setting to listen to concerns and offer advice on the best ways to deal with homeless camps, midnight backyard prowlers, and license plate theft.
Get Involved
While it is by no means any citizen’s responsibility to do the job of the police, a little concern and outgoing action can go a long way — and maybe even save a life. A person can report the descriptions of people you see committing crimes such as theft, vandalism and assault. You can also write down the license plate numbers of hit-and-run drivers or burglary getaway cars. Such instances of involvement not only establish communication between your community and local law enforcement, they can also create trust between these two divided sectors of society while enhancing the overall safety of the neighborhood. Meanwhile, it is important to understand that CROs stress that taking care of your own safety first in a crisis — NOT putting yourself in greater danger — is job number one.
9-1-1: Some circumstances requiring civil servant involvement are not always 9-1-1 emergencies.
Connect On Social Media
DPD is also trying to connect with residents via Nextdoor — a social media platform dedicated to connecting residents of specific neighborhoods within a specific sector of a city. Their page on this platform, however, is more of an informal message board that is not monitored 24/7 and is not a replacement for dialing 911. Citizens with video footage from their doorbell cameras or their smartphones can upload footage of burglars, prowlers and crimes along with incident reports directly onto the DPD Nextdoor page. This is, of course, in addition to making a formal report via the DPD non-emergency number; 720-913-STOP (7867). Posting on this platform and on the DPD thread is particularly useful because other residents can have access to the video feeds, images and descriptions that help them identify danger before the fact or, at the very least, add to the reports of specific incidents and individuals who are out committing crimes. The page also provides tips on preventing theft of motorcycles, scooters, cars, trucks and license plates as well as the protocols for reporting street racing.
Boots On The Ground?
At this point in 2020, Denver Police Department CROs may either be performing a high-wire act or simply tip-toeing on eggshells. This may explain why attempts to contact six different CROs and one volunteer were met with neutral responses. Former CRO Bob Anderson replied to email interview questions by explaining: “I am no longer assigned as a CRO, as I have moved on to a different assignment within the police department. These are all good questions and I have copied the District 1 CRO team on this response so they can respond to your request. Thank you.”
Defund The Police: Some folks who subscribe to logic and reason agree that this is a terrible idea.
Meanwhile, CRO Kate Young answered a phone call, yet declined an interview or the opportunity to respond to questions about CRO protocol stating: “We have to run our answers by our supervisors before we can say anything to the press. I will try and get back to you before your deadline.”
Lastly, DPD volunteer Christie Mochoruk offered: “Through my personal experiences volunteering with DPD, I’ve witnessed many partnerships formed between our Officers and residents, once those in our community understood how and who to communicate with and the best way to utilize the many resources available to them. I would love to answer some of your questions, but I will need to reach out to the Officers first for permission, as I’m only a volunteer and want to ensure the integrity of the information being shared comes across in the most effective way.”
There was no further reply in the 55+ hours left on this journalist’s assignment hourglass between Monday, October 12 at 7 a.m. and Wednesday, October 14 at 1 p.m.
Perhaps they were all too busy making the rounds in their respective jurisdictions, or maybe the role of CROs is primarily one of forward-facing PR significance and not much else. One thing is for sure; currently there is not enough continual engagement between the public and the CROs to make a noticeable dent in crime and to assuage the general public disdain towards the police. This makes one thing clear — if you’re a citizen who wants things to improve — you’re going to have to meet your CRO halfway.
The year 2020 has brought a lot of misfortune to people all around the world, but John Larchick (JL) and his record label Time Stamp Records (TSR) have made good use of the time of solitude due to social distancing. Announcing the official start of the label on January 1, JL and his team have been busy in the lab making 2020 their year to emerge on the music scene with the release of their brand new music video and song Battle Royale.
“Battle Royale was an absolute gem to produce. I hate to say it, but my overgrown mustache may have taken the spotlight from even me on this one occasion. But honestly, from the beginning of the song’s inception, everything just started falling into place. From the creation of the beat and the vocal writing, down to the video concept and execution. It all just felt right. Those are the types of workflow that we as artists are searching for when we create,” stated JL, Owner and Producer of Time Stamp Records.
TSR, a childhood dream of JL’s, is a new indie record label out of Aurora/Metro Denver, Colorado. Time Stamp Records produces music and film. They also distribute and cultivate quality art, merchandise and music for film, radio, live events and television. And they have big plans for the future.
“Owning my own label has been a lifelong dream,” stated JL.
JL has been involved in the music industry from a very young age. At 17, he and his high school band, Reverend Orange Peel, sold out the Bluebird Theatre and earned the opportunity to play at the Ogden Theatre for New Year’s eve that same year. Both venues are icons in Denver. Ever since then he knew he had the knack for it and wanted a career in music.
“It wasn’t always glorious venues and big gigs though,” stated JL.
After high school, the band naturally dispersed to various colleges resulting in the dismantling of Reverend Orange Peel. “But I was still set on my musical quest. I was writing the music, learning to play instruments, and honing my craft virtually every waking moment. I started learning how to navigate all the facets of the ever-changing music industry. Everything from working with band members, writing songs, recording, booking, marketing to tours, videos, press releases, radio interviews and so much more.”
JL is no stranger to touring and has diligently booked gigs at countless venues across Colorado and surrounding states. “I’m super grateful for all of my past, present and future experiences, from the coffee shop gigs with no sound system to Boulder’s famous Fox Theatre. It’s my experiences as a musician and recording engineer that set me and this record label apart from others”.
JL has gone on numerous tours, occasionally accompanying some very notable artists. He has performed with acts such as Guru from Jazzmatazz, Fat Joe, Wu-Tang Clan, Ol Dirty Bastard, Pepper, the Pharcyde, Devin the Dude and others.
In addition, JL is the owner of a professional recording studio (Green Room Studios), the lead vocalist for JL Universe, a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and a record producer. JL has released four albums and has helped a few fellow artists release albums of their own. His drive and motivation come from his love for music and the desire to create amazing art. He wants to encompass everything in the industry and assist other aspiring artists to reach their goals. Cultivating Time Stamp Records into a renowned success for all the artists signed under the label is where his sights are now set.
“Running this label, to me, it’s a really big responsibility and it’s a big honor. To be able to provide a service and to be able to put out people’s truths,” said JL. “Music and art are so personal and there are so many really dope artists that don’t get a chance to have a sounding board, to have somebody there to ricochet ideas and concepts, and grow a plan. That is what I am focused on when we sign artists. We are helping the artists generate their vision and then really feed that vision so it can grow and blossom into something bigger.”
JL is drawn to music that resonates with him, as opposed to claiming loyalty to a specific genre of music. He listens to and supports everything from electronic to funk to hip-hop to country. He has a hard time fitting Time Stamp Records into a specific category because he works with artists from across the board. When considering an artist for the label, JL really focuses on the quality of character and integrity presented in their work. He values artists with great work ethic, clarity, and dedication to their craft. He values artists with ambition and a drive to create something amazing for the world. Because of his familiarity with the industry, JL has a keen eye for the foundation required to establish a successful musical career.
“My goal is to become the record label that I always needed as an artist. To create a space and platform for artists and projects to fully develop. I have built, and I am still building, the frameworks and no one style or artist’s journey will be the same, but the process to get to our goals are similar,” said JL. “TSR is here to assist in that self-discovery and execution of plans. My dream is to make art that transforms time and space and that stamps the moment we are living in through expression and human connection. The end goal is to make creations that resonate, fulfill dreams and win Grammys.”
Sometimes all an artist needs is someone to give them a little nudge or to point them in the right direction for success. They can be filled with talent and musical genius, while struggling with the skill of getting noticed and releasing their art. They need a mentor or a leader. And that is precisely what JL and Time Stamp Records is. TSR is paving the way for musicians. He guides them on the path toward achievement. That way, everyone wins. In November, TSR plans to announce a statewide contest which is calling on artists to submit their work for the chance to win a single produced and released by TSR along with other great prizes.
Time Stamp Record’s song and video, Battle Royale was quickly followed by JL’s second single release of 2020, The Other Side. The single is paired with a creative and thought-provoking video and the song is seeing great success in just the first few days of release. In addition, JL Universe has several queued singles ready for release later this year and into 2021.
To listen to JL’s work and to follow JL Universe, Time Stamp Records or Green Room Studios (Colorado), search and find them on Facebook and Instagram. You can also find JL Universe’s video and single — Battle Royale on all digital streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and Youtube.
Time Stamp Records’ long anticipated website has been revamped and reintroduced in an easy to use and enlightening format. Plus, the brand-new winter line of TSR merchandise will be available in November and contains fabulous new clothing styles.
For more news and exclusive music, art and culture, follow TSR on all social media platforms and sign up on the mailing list at www.timestamprecords.com. New artists, new songs, new videos, new merch, new inspirations and new beginnings are all happening, right now, at Time Stamp Records.
On the corner of Emerson and the 900 block of E. 1st Ave. in Denver’s Speer neighborhood sits Carmen Court — a 95-year-old piece of Denver history that is figuratively torn apart, a notion that could soon take place in the literal sense.
The forces at work here are three-fold, involving the will of the owner occupants, the wishes of the surrounding neighborhood and the financial leverage of an international real-estate development company.
From The Inside Out
The owners of the six condominium units at Carmen Court — a Pueblo Revival Style multi-family complex built in 1925 are looking at a financial windfall. According to an article by BusinessDen.com, the entire property has a list value of $5.5 million, indicating that the owners of each unit could anticipate an average payout of $916,000.
1925: Carmen Court as it appeared after its 1925 completion by builder Burt Rhoads, an engineer for the Gates Rubber Company.
The owner-occupants of Carmen Court recently aligned with the property owners of the three residential lots to the south in order to broker a deal to sell the dirt beneath the buildings to Hines, a Texas-based real estate investment, development and management firm that plans to erect a five+ story assisted living facility. One of the terms of this deal is that the owners will arrange to have the properties demolished before Hines will close on the contract. Upon applying for a permit to do so and then posting said permit as required by law, there was significant outcry among the area residents. This prompted neighbors to seek a preservation-minded approach by filing for Carmen Court to bear a landmark designation status.
The numerous “No Trespassing” signs made it apparent that knocking on doors for an interview was ill advised. Yet, numerous stories from other news sources confirm that Carmen Court residents are not interested in the preservation approach, citing a unanimous desire to sell rather than incurring the increasingly costly expense of upkeep on a century-old building.
From The Outside In
Neighbors, members of the West Washington Park Neighborhood Association, and an amalgam of Denver-based architects and preservationists, have come together to form Friends of Carmen Court (FoCC). Contrary to what the name suggests, members of FoCC do not share the same vision as the current owner occupants. From the FoCC’s perspective, however, the proposed nine-lot development plan represents a potential monstrosity that will further erase the heritage and identity of their community.
Vying For Historical Landmark: Proponents of historical landmark designation claim Carmen Court was built in the Pueblo Revival Style. Yet, it bears resemblance to Mediterranean villas and lacks the style’s signature round roof beams known as “vigas.”
While the residents of Carmen Court are obviously interested in selling and moving on, the FoCC have other motivations. Mark Harris, a group member and one of the three neighbors required for the filing of the landmark designation states via email: “We, the three near neighbors, have been in discussions with the owners and Hines on how the building can have an adaptive re-use within the new development. We are also trying to find another buyer to step in and develop the site while preserving the building. We are not trying to prevent density or new development in our neighborhood; we’re just trying to save an important building from ending up in the landfill. While some have painted the picture as an either-or, we see it as both-and. Hines can buy the building from the owners at their asking price, and still save the building by incorporating it into their new development. We have just all agreed on a 45-day extension to allow for time to reach an agreement before the issue is in front of City Council on Nov 2nd.”
Meanwhile, FoCC member Sarah McCarthy voices a community-wide aesthetic concern about the idea of losing Carmen Court, stating: “It’s really part of the neighborhood. It is truly unique in its landscaping and design. The owners may not be interested in (historical) designation, but we see the building as having a larger architectural and historical significance.”
From The Top Looking Down
The proposed compromise would require Hines to preserve the exterior integrity of Carmen Court, and perhaps repurpose the condos for reception areas, dining facilities or street-level storage while somehow erecting a multi-story assisted living facility around the existing structure. While this sort of a compromise sounds a bit farfetched, it is not unheard of in other redeveloping parts of Denver. Recently, similar historical landmark designations have been passed for places like Tom’s Diner on Colfax and the Howard Berkeley Park Chapel of Tennyson St. While both involved some level of compromise, neither included building a high-rise residential behemoth atop a century-old structure.
Signs: In addition to the red signs, Carmen Court is replete with “No Trespassing” signs to ward off nosy journalists.
Hines Managing Director Chris Crawford, while unavailable for comment, was recently quoted on the matter at Business Den.com. He indicated that Hines would consider walking away if another developer would agree to taking over the existing contract with the Carmen Court owners. This new developer, in the event of a historical designation being assigned to the property, would have to build around the existing structure while assuring that Hines be reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred thus far.
While a land swap with another developer was discussed, the deal was turned down by Hines due to the location of the other property. At any rate, whether an historical designation is assigned to the property is up to what the Denver City Council decides when the 45-day extension is up in mid-October. If so, the next step is up to the willingness of the Development Industrial Complex to settle for a compromise. If there is no historical designation, you can bet there will soon likely be no Carmen Court.
At any rate, the fate of Carmen Court is yet unknown, but currently it appears to be in the hands of those who have the least to lose.
Multiple Sites Finishing Up But Only A Couple Commencing; Stunning Newly Built Structures Opening In The District For Fall
by Glen Richardson
Reshaping Cherry Creek: Holiday shoppers-visitors in the district will be greeted by this new mixed-use retail-office building on the corner of 3rd. Ave. & Josephine. The structure is a standout as most new buildings are far from futuristic.
The pandemic and a weakening economy find Cherry Creek’s construction sites still turning shovels and swinging hammers, but the pace has slowed and few new projects are expected to sprout up. Following eight straight years of new construction, owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors and the supply chain are feeling the shock.
Normally it’s rare for district developers-builders to slow down construction activity. But these aren’t normal times, and the pandemic economy has given rise to a noticeable work cutback. The structure of demand is changing: Fewer hotels are being proposed due to less business-leisure travel. Online shopping is shrinking the demand for retail space and the need for offices is slowing because of remote working.
Multiple projects are finishing up in Cherry Creek plus a couple have commenced construction. Residents and district shoppers can expect those projects to be completed. It is new projects that have been proposed in the district that are likely to see terminations of parties or entire projects. Given the hotel outlook, the AC Marriott in Cherry Creek is likely to be delayed or the site could go up for resale. The Sunridge Hotel Group project is proposed for seven-stories, 150-rooms.
Westside Wait
Redevelopment of Cherry Creek’s west end has been the slowest to take off. Completion of the 260 North office-retail project at Josephine St. and East 3rd Ave. and makeover of the former Inn at Cherry Creek opening as The Clayton at 233 Clayton St. in March of 2021 are notable exceptions.
New Excavation: Despite Cherry Creek’s construction cutback, dirt work is underway at this 240 Saint Paul site. Building will be anchored across the first three floors by an Equinox Fitness Club.
Broe Real Estate Group which owns the bulk of the east side of Clayton St. announced a year ago it would demolish several structures to make way for two new office buildings. Existing two-story structures at 200 and 210 Clayton are to be replaced with an eight-story office building with ground-floor retail. The adjacent four-story building it owns at 216 Clayton would remain but the two-story parking garage to the north would be replaced with a seven-story office building and ground-floor retail. Broe’s headquarters is at 252 Clayton and the firm has deep pockets. Thus the massive project will likely come to fruition but demolition isn’t expected to begin until next year with completion two-five years away.
The promised Clayton Lane Investors redevelopment of the west end of Cherry Creek between 1st and 2nd Ave. from Josephine to Detroit St. is in limbo again. The Invesco Real Estate-Broomfield partnership project isn’t likely to break ground in the next 12-14 month. Completion that would include demolishing the former Sears store that has been vacant since 2015 isn’t likely in the next several years. Should the venture be terminated look for the Nichols Partnership — Clayton Lane’s original developer — who just bought back a portion of the Whole Foods Garage for $6 million — to take over the project.
Boundary-Pushing: The just completed UC Health Cherry Creek has opened along East 1st Ave. Sleek all-glass structure creates a new footprint on the eastside as the surrounding buildings are heavy with earth tones and masonry.
New For Fall
Newly completed projects scattered through the fashionable neighborhood are beginning to open for fall. The project known as 260 North has finally opened, creating the west end’s first high-end, mixed-use space. Situated adjacent to the BMC built MOXY and Halcyon Hotels — the only other new westside structures — it is a compelling building with a stepped-up design. Located on the corner of 3rd and Josephine streets, it adds office, retail and parking space while allowing daylight into the streetscape.
On the east end, the just completed modernistic 88,000-sq.-ft. UC Health Cherry Creek has opened. With an all-glass façade, it stands out alone on East 1st Ave. as most of the surrounding buildings are heavy with earth tones and masonry. The health center offers primary care, state of the art imaging, a surgery center and comprehensive oncology treatment.
Over in the Cherry Creek Triangle, two major multi-family projects are also open. Between the step down, brickwork and landscaping, Gables Cherry Creek II helps reduce the harshness of East Alameda Ave. Gables Vista, rising 12-stories, is one of the tallest in the triangle. All together the three Gables projects have added 579 homes in the district.
On The Rise
Two projects, both BMC developments, are currently under construction in the district. Newest is the 240 Saint Paul project to be anchored across the first three floors by the Equinox Fitness Club. Most of the office space is pre-leased and at last report half of the 12,000-sq.-ft. of retail space had been rented. Construction is anticipated to take at least 14 months, with completion in summer-early fall of next year.
Urban Lifestyle: Gables Cherry Creek II in the Cherry Creek Triangle offers a walkable urban lifestyle with enhanced amenities. Step down brickwork and landscaping reduces the harshness of East Alameda Ave.
Renamed The Clayton, Matt Joblon signed a 99-year ground lease on the 233 Clayton St. property in the fall of 2017. Since renovation started a year ago, BMC is spending $30 million to add onto the property that’s expected to open next March.
What will make the project unique in Cherry Creek is Joblon’s goal to create a “real culture center.” In addition to 37 hotel rooms, the six-story building will feature 12,000-sq.-ft. of “hip retail” on the ground-floor plus scores of music, culinary and art venues for entertainment, exploration and enjoyment.
Projects On Horizon
Despite the district’s construction slowdown, there are several new projects on the horizon in Cherry Creek. They range from office buildings to apartment complexes, two potential hotels plus an independent living community for seniors.
More Glass: Construction could soon get underway on this proposed glass structure at 2nd Ave. & Adams. Retail-office site would extend the existing stretch of retail on East 2nd Ave further east.
Most likely to begin construction is the 2nd Ave. & Adams project where a two-story office building and a single-family home have already been cleared. Purchased by Blair Richardson, the 0.29-acre site would feature an all-glass building with ground floor retail plus four levels of office space. When it is developed it will extend the existing stretch of retail on East 2nd Ave. further east.
Due to the project’s nature, a proposed seven-story, 136-unit senior living project could also break ground next year. Named Solterra Senior Living, the site is near the intersection of Alameda Ave. and Colorado Blvd. A self-service car wash was recently demolished at the site to make way for the project. The infill site at 235 Fillmore that has set vacant for several years has been purchased by BMC, making development more likely. An office building with ground-floor retail is proposed.
