by Regan Bervar | Sep 27, 2021 | Main Articles
“We didn’t start the fire/It was always burning, since the world’s been turning.” Billy Joel
by Luke Schmaltz
The brown cloud which frequently blankets the Mile High City has long been recognized as an unfortunate byproduct of progress. Since the 1980s, locally produced carbon emissions from coal-based energy production, oil refinement and the automotive combustion of gasoline has created a problematic airborne miasma. In the last few years, Denver has been given distinction among the top 10 cities with the poorest air quality in the United States. Federal records show air pollution was at elevated levels for more than 260 days a year in 2019 and 2020.
Meanwhile out West, the Golden State is leading the way in the creation of a different type of pollution, wildfire smoke. Just as California exports entertainment, social trends, and hordes of transplants, it also sends a generous share of air particulates from incinerated vegetation to round out its contribution to Colorado. A place that, as anyone who lives here knows, is already dealing with its own wildfire crises.
At times, the brown cloud over Denver can, in part, be attributed to the California wildfires.
Paper Is Made From Wood
To understand the proliferation of pollution, all you have to do is follow the money. America’s addiction to coal-based energy and oil-based propulsion has stakeholders running the ship aground who are perched in plain sight. The same is true with wildfire-based pollution. The logging industrial complex, which is particularly busy in some parts of California, is making a mint while communities are being destroyed, lives are being lost, and Colorado is choking on the ashes.
So far this year, Cal Fire (fire.ca.gov/inci dents) reports 7,377 fire incidents which have killed three people, destroyed 3,285 structures, and burned 2,243,663 acres of forest. The latter statistic is of particular interest here, as the massive plumes of smoke are systematically swept up by jet streams, carried inland, and deposited at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains.
A Climate-Driven Performance Enhancer
Lucy Walker’s film “Bring Your Own Brigade” tells the story of how concentrated fuel sources are creating fires that can’t be stopped.
Clearly, this phenomenon is ramping up in tandem with global warming. Unnaturally dry conditions can turn large expanses of forest into an incendiary event waiting to turn the tiniest spark into a nightmare inferno. Some of these blazes occur in clear-cut areas which have been recently “thinned” by logging operations both private and government-operated. For decades, the United States Forest Service (USFS) has conducted these “thinning” initiatives under the guise of “fire prevention” but the data overwhelmingly demonstrates that wildfires tend to spread faster and with much more intensity in clear-cut areas due to dry conditions and contiguous acres of branches and logs which were left over from the logging process. Recent examples include the Dixie Fire which incinerated large parts of the Sierra Nevada town of Greenville and the Caldor Fire which destroyed the entire town of Grizzly Flats, CA.
Chad Hanson is an Author and ecologist with the John Muir Project. He recently published Smokescreen: Debunking Wildfire Myths to Save Our Forests and Our Planet.
Author Chad Hanson blows the California wildfire story wide open in his new book, Smokescreen.
Hanson is an expert in the phenomenon and the region, having conducted fieldwork for his doctoral dissertation in the aforementioned Greenville. In a recent article published on Grist.org, he explains, “The primary focus of the agency’s forest management efforts is selling public trees to private logging companies, which generates about $150 million each year. That may sound like a small portion of its $2 billion budget for land management, but logging also brings in more than $1 billion in annual Congressional appropriated funds, which generate additional revenue that goes back into the agency’s budget.” In a clever pivot, the USFS recently stopped using descriptive terms like logging and timber harvest and instead began conducting the same activities under the banners of terms like forest health, ecological restoration, and fuel reduction. But, as Hanson points out, “Make no mistake. It’s all just logging.”
Rural Overpopulation
There is another dimension of the fire industrial complex at work in California, but it stems from an opposing set of dynamics. Commercial land which has been clear cut is being replanted with dense concentrations of trees slated for harvest as soon as they have matured to a certain height and width. The problem here is that thick concentrations of trees, especially those reduced to drought-choked rows of veritable matchsticks, create an overly-abundant fuel source — one which burns with unstoppable ferocity.
Contrary to popular opinion, clear cutting large sections of forest contributes to the wildfire phenomenon.
Lucy Walker is an Oscar-nominated director whose recent release “Bring Your Own Brigade” is once again heating up the wildfire debate. The film was shot in 2018 during the Thomas Fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, CA. While the piece makes a strong case for the need to reverse climate change, it also documents how efforts from the USFS and private corporations have created dense forests where a sparse topography once existed — setting the stage for heat- and drought-driven wildfires to thrive. “Comparing photographs makes it very clear,” she explains in the narration. “You can see the changes [through time] and you can see what ‘fire suppression’ has done. Forests just didn’t used to be this thick.” An unnamed resident interviewee confirms this, explaining, “In the past it was more of a savannah situation. Bigger trees spaced farther apart. Now, you’ve created a heat source you can’t stop.”
Professor Pyro
Gary Stephen Maynard, a Criminology professor and holder of a doctorate in Sociology, is accused of lighting forest fires in California.
Gary Maynard is a tenured academic of the California Collegiate system, teaching — quite ironically — criminal justice. The esteemed professor has, until recently, been an enthusiastic contributor to the Golden State’s greatest airborne export. In July and August of 2021, he allegedly went on an unprecedented spree of arson and wholesale destruction. He was recently accused of having set a series of half a dozen fires in the Lassen and Shasta Trinity National Forest areas. These blazes, according to agents from the USFS, were designed to trap authorities and firefighter crews.
Maynard also holds a doctorate in sociology from Stony Brook University in Brookhaven, New York, as well as two additional master’s degrees. Pinpointing his motives will no doubt be a challenge, and reports of court proceedings offer little insight into his mindset — other than repeated denials and blue streaks of profanity aimed at police officers. Whether this is an isolated incident and Maynard is an anomaly, or he is part of a bigger scheme to create anarchy is undetermined. Yet, given the climate of general mania which seems to have much of the general populace in its grip, the idea of a cabal of arsonists creeping about the California woods with a penchant for pyromania is not exactly farfetched.
While California wildfires are certainly not the main culprit of poor air quality in Denver, they are a definite contributor. Hanson and Walker have demonstrated the cause of some of these catastrophes while Maynard has shown how easy they are to ignite. While not wholly unavoidable, wildfires could be reduced were it not for the almighty dollar. This paper byproduct of trees seems to skew the logic of even the most perceptive of people. In this case, it is especially true for those with large government contracts worth many millions of dollars and not a damn to give about who chokes on what, where or when.
by Mark Smiley | Sep 27, 2021 | Main Articles
by Jessica Hughes
The towering castle of Ice World. Photo by Kennedy Cottrell | Courtesy of Meow Wolf
After four years in the making, Denver celebrated the grand opening of the highly anticipated Meow Wolf last month, finally making its way from fantasy to reality. As the company’s largest permanent installation, the immersive exhibit will showcase the work of over 300 artists, including 110 Denver artists within four stories of a 90,000 square-foot structure. Alongside the installations, the venue also hosts a large 450-person music venue and a 2,000 square-foot retail space and café.
The installation is called Convergence Station, where a mystical narrative follows the art on display through an immersive experience. According to the press release, “It is the first stop on a quantum journey of exploration and discovery as passengers traverse new worlds, and like all Meow Wolf locations, labyrinthine mysteries beckon from its vibrant walls, portals, and wormholes. Twenty-five years ago, a freak cosmic event merged four worlds from different universes, erasing the memories of all residents and spawning the mystifying disappearances of four women.”
The other world of CataCombs. Photo by Kennedy Cottrell | Courtesy of Meow Wolf
Visitors will be transported through different worlds including kaleidoscopic cathedrals, Corinthian catacombs, lush alien habitats, and dazzling and gritty cityscapes. In this hotbed of interplanetary cohabitation, memories serve as both currency and the key to unlocking the story behind the women’s disappearances and cause of the convergence — as do multimedia clues that reveal themselves to all the senses.
Muralists, sculptors, fiber artists, and technologists have come together to create a one-of-a-kind installation, including notable artists Kalyn Heffernan, Christopher Nelson, Everything is Terrible!, Molina Speaks, Sofie Birkin, along with Moment Factory and many others.
The venue is located at 1338 1st St., Denver, CO 80204, and is nestled in the middle of W. Colfax Ave. and I-25, in the heart of the Sun Valley neighborhood. Those passing by will recognize the stand-alone building, with its pizza-like shape, florescent lighting, and four floors of interactive exhibits interconnected through vertical travel and secret passageways.
“Denver’s art scene is active and vibrant, making it the perfect place for our next exhibition,” said Chadney Everett, Executive Creative Director of Meow Wolf Denver. “Convergence Station is Meow Wolf’s third permanent immersive experience, and it will truly change the way you look at art. This exhibition is unlike anything you’ve ever seen…from The Swamp to The Cathedral — there’s a strong narrative to be uncovered should you choose, alongside truly mind-bending art from the many talented creatives that have worked so hard to bring the vision to life. We can’t wait for everyone to explore.”
The Sa Lawn exhibit at Meow Wolf’s new Convergence Station in Denver. Photo by Kennedy Cottrell | Courtesy of Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf is a Santa Fe-based arts and entertainment company that creates immersive, interactive experiences to transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story and exploration. The company’s first location in Santa Fe opened in 2016, showcasing the House of Eternal Return.
Then in 2019, Meow Wolf expanded beyond Santa Fe and opened Kaleidoscape, the world’s first artist-driven ride at Elitch Gardens in Denver. Meow Wolf recently opened their second permanent installation, Omega Mart, at AREA15 in Las Vegas, and the third permanent installation is now in Denver.
Meow Wolf is now open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. until 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Hours are subject to change.
Tickets are available for pre-purchase for $45 for General Admission ($40 Children / Seniors / Military), and $35 for Colorado Residents. Visitors are required to pre-book a time slot for entry.
by Jessica Hughes | Aug 27, 2021 | Main Articles
by Jessica Hughes
Wagon: A wagon reminiscent of those used on the trail. Located at Boggsville Historic Site. Photo by Jessica Hughes
The Santa Fe Trail was an overland two-way trade route that connected Franklin, Missouri, with Santa Fe, New Mexico. The portion of the trail that ran through Colorado was called the Mountain Branch section. This year marks the bicentennial of the Santa Fe Trail that ran through Colorado between 1821 and 1890. For the anniversary, there are several events and things to do to help commemorate this historic occasion.
Hosted by National Park Service partners and the Santa Fe Trail 200 organization, the bicentennial celebration will feature more than 40 in-person and virtual events throughout the length of the trail, from Missouri to New Mexico, with several planned in Colorado.
Bent’s Old Fort In La Junta
Bent’s Old Fort: Looking inside Bent’s Old Fort near La Junta. Photo credit: Jessica Hughes
The keystone event for the 200-year celebration of the Santa Fe Trail will be held in La Junta at Bent’s Old Fort. This historic fort was an important stopping point along the trail where travelers came to rest and resupply. To highlight the fort’s significant role it played along the trail, they will be hosting the Santa Fe Trail Symposium, September 23-26, 2021.
Throughout the weekend, the event will showcase speakers, entertainment, and tours. Visitors can also participate in historian-narrated bus tours and living history events, including re-enactors at Bent’s Old Fort. Symposium activities are also planned at the Koshare Indian Museum, Otero Junior College, and the Otero County Museum.
Visit 2021sfts.com to view the entire schedule of events.
Trinidad
Bloom House: The historic Bloom House is part of the Trinidad History Museum. Photo credit: Jessica Hughes
Come to Trinidad for a week-long celebration of the Santa Fe Trail. Events and activities will be held September 27 – October 3, 2021, commemorating the development of American trade, cultural interactions, and the westward expansion that were all a result of this historic byway. The celebration will include historic tours of the trail and the Santa Fe Museum, period reenactments, historic family-friendly activities, theatre productions, art exhibits, and more.
Visit the Trinidad History Museum to view the featured exhibit of Borderlands of Southern Colorado: The Santa Fe Trail. The exhibit, housed in the Santa Fe Trail building, explores the trail through new eyes by telling forgotten stories that shaped the borderlands of southern Colorado. The property also houses the historic Bloom Mansion, the Baca-Bloom Heritage Gardens, and the Baca House, where tours are available.
Drive The Santa Fe Trail
Marker: One of 36 Santa Fe Trail markers in Las Animas, Colorado. Photo by Jessica Hughes
One of the best ways to experience the trail is with a drive along the historic Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail. The route roughly follows U.S. Highway 50 from Lamar to La Junta, and along U.S. Highway 350 to Trinidad, going into New Mexico. Visit historic landmarks along the way including Bent’s Old Fort, Boggsville Historic Site, Fort Lyon, Bent’s New Fort, Timpas State Station, the Baca House in Trinidad, and more.
Be on the lookout for the wagon ruts that are still visible in some places along the grass prairies. Much of the historic trail has faded away, so numerous signs are posted alongside the road to notify motorists where the trail once was. In fact, there are now 36 historic granite stone markers that follow the route, most of them denoting visible wagon ruts. Notable markers are found in Lamar at the Big Timbers Museum, north side of U.S. Highway 50 at the Kansas/Colorado state lines, and at Iron Springs along Highway 350.
For more information about the bicentennial of the Santa Fe Trail, visit https://santafetrail200.org.
by Regan Bervar | Aug 27, 2021 | Main Articles
“It seems as though all the devils were let loose on me; and if you think this is an exaggeration, ask anyone you meet who has lived in my district.”
by Luke Schmaltz
Colfax Avenue is revered, reviled and renowned — a pulsating conduit of commerce, crime and culture. If you live in Denver, you have inevitably been swept into its current, and the experience has no doubt left an indelible impression.
East Colfax: An artist’s rendition of what East Colfax might look like once the project is complete. This rendering is the intersection of Colfax and Krameria.
At any given moment along America’s longest avenue, nearly every type of human being on the move can be observed; pedestrians, drivers, motorcyclists, public transit customers, bicyclists, scooterists, skateboarders, and folks of questionable mental alertness doing their best to stay upright as they stagger along their way. According to a recent post on the RTD-Denver .com website, approximately 20,000 people travel this route every day going to and from work, play, and myriad other destinations. Related metrics posted on denver gov.org state, “Over the next 20 years, the corridor is expected to experience 25% growth in the number of travelers, 67% growth in employment and 25% growth in population. Denver cannot continue to grow and create more people-friendly spaces without efficiently moving more people through the East Colfax corridor.”
Current Projections
Colfax And Downing: The Colfax BRT would run from Broadway to Yosemite St. in Aurora.
It is apparent that, with the current rate of growth in the Mile High City, the need to access this route will far outweigh the volume per hour capacity and thus, the Colfax Corridor BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) Project was initiated by the City and County of Denver. According to a quote on the Streets blog.org website from Jill Locantore (of the Denver Streets Project) this initiative, “is going to allow Colfax to carry more people than it does today. If you get more people out of their cars and on the buses, you have nearly infinite capacity for people, compared to very limited capacity for personal vehicles.”
Benefits vs. Drawbacks
The project proposes the replacement of side-running BRT with two repurposed center lanes for transit-only vehicles which passengers will access via elevated, wheelchair accessible platforms. Among the advantages listed on a denvergov.org web page are better-organized traffic flow, reduced crashes, improved travel efficiency, reduced conflicts with parking and other related curbside activities as well as streetscaping opportunities. Another listed benefit will be “improving pedestrian safety by moving transit lanes to the center.” This is where some highly questionable oversight may be at work, as the idea of people disembarking from public transit in the middle of Colfax and presumably making their way from the center to one side of the street elicits images of pedestrians being mangled by oncoming traffic a-la the 1980s video game Frogger. Sure, travelers will no doubt be instructed to use the crosswalk, but those who exit the BRT shuttle toward the rear of the vehicle — at the furthest point from the crosswalk — will inevitably take a shortcut to the sidewalk and simply jaywalk across the street. It is Colfax Avenue, after all — not exactly a place where people go to follow the rules. Add the winter conditions present in Denver half the year, the pedestrian danger could elevate to Ice Road Trucker Frogger.
BRT: The East Colfax Corridor Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project is still in the planning stages and may not see completion until 2028. Image: Denvergov.org
While popular among developers and city agency personnel, BRT presents a host of pressing concerns among residents and local business owners. The driving lanes will be reduced to just one lane for motor vehicles traveling east and west from Broadway in downtown Denver all the way to Yosemite St. in Aurora. Artist renditions of the proposed configuration present the very picture of congestion — a condition that could spell certain doom for streetside businesses.
Insight From A Bureaucracy Outsider
Velvet Elvis: Colfax Museum curator Jonny Barber (aka Velvet Elvis) has some transit enhancement ideas that are a bit more eccentric than those of the Colfax BRT.
Jonny Barber is a celebrated Denver musician, highly sought-after Elvis impersonator (The Velvet Elvis), curator of the Colfax Museum and administrator of the popular website ColfaxAvenue.org (along with wife Anistacia). Barber is considered by many to be the preeminent local authority of all things Colfax Avenue, including past iterations as a well-managed thoroughfare. He recalls how from the late 1800s until around 1950 or so, much of the traffic on Colfax was managed by streetcar trolleys which shuttled residents from west to east and back again. He contends that the original tracks still exist beneath a few layers of asphalt, and that perhaps a step back in time is a better approach. “Yes, we need transit on Colfax,” he begins. “Is BRT the answer? I don’t know but while we’re at it — we might as well do something a little sexier — like bring back the trolleys.”
A Crowded Kitchen
Meanwhile, BRT planners postulate the project will not reach completion until 2028, with a host of bureaucratic agencies acting as stakeholders, the process will no doubt be hindered by a quagmire of negotiations, objections, and red tape of every stripe. To elaborate on the complexity of the various agencies at play, CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) owns the actual road that is Colfax Avenue, RTD operates the public transportation vehicles, the City of Denver DOTI (Department of Transportation and Infrastructure) is responsible for maintenance and operation, and the FTA (Federal Transit Authority) is overseeing the entire BRT project. All parties must agree on how things will be managed, paid for, contracted, and carried out. Such a complex proposition is not just a traffic jam, but a multi-vehicle pileup that works well as a fitting metaphor for the future of Colfax Avenue.
by Mark Smiley | Aug 27, 2021 | Main Articles
Left Wing Money To Pour Into Republican Primaries Next Year
by Glen Richardson
Who Does He Work For: Jon Caldera of the free-market Independence Institute, who is not a Republican, is lobbying hard for Colorado Republicans not to opt out of open primaries. The principal beneficiary of his lobbying is Kathryn Murdoch, the wealthy highly progressive New York Democrat.
According to Jon Caldera of the Independence Institute, a self-described free market think tank in Denver, the seemingly moribund Republican Party of Colorado is on the verge of a great victory in Colorado in 2022. He stated so in an opinion piece in The Denver Post and in emails to everyone of the approximately 520 Republican State Central Committee members. What is surprising about the communications is that Caldera is not a Republican, and moreover almost no other political commentator in the state believes the Republicans are on the verge of victory in Colorado. True, the 10-year reapportionment of Congressional, State House and State Senate districts is being done this year by an independent commission, from one that was gerrymandered heavily in favor of Democrats, but little else seems to favor Republicans in Colorado.
Since the advent of mail-in balloting and ballot harvesting along with open primaries where unaffiliates can vote in Republican primaries, Republicans have lost almost every statewide election along with the State Senate. The number of registered Republicans in Colorado is plummeting and has dropped by over 22,000 voters so far in 2021 alone. So, what is going on?
The Colorado Republican primaries are becoming more and more lucrative for consultants and others. Kathryn Murdoch of New York City, the extremely wealthy and very progressive daughter-in-law of billionaire Rupert Murdoch, has decided to become a major player in Colorado Republican primaries. As outlined in an article in the Colorado Sun, Murdoch funded, through a series of corporations including Unite Colorado, over two million dollars to five Republican primaries in Weld and Jefferson counties (HD22, HD48, HD49 HD63 and SD63). She did so in order to ensure conservative Republicans would not win in strong Republican districts. She sought Republicans who would help Democrats get progressive legislation passed at the State Capitol.
Murdoch Five: The five Republican liberals were elected over conservatives in primaries in Weld and Jefferson County with massive cash infusions on behalf of their candidacy by Kathryn Murdoch and Unite Colorado.
Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer
Representative Dan Woog
Representative Tonya Van Beber
Representative Colin Larson
Representative Michael Lynch
Unite Colorado was spectacularly successful getting Colin Larson, Michael Lynch, Tonya Van Beber, and Dan Woog to be the Republican nominees to the State House, and Barbara Kirkmeyer to the State Senate. Since all were in strong Republican districts, the “Murdoch 5” won their general elections. One of the first actions was to replace conservative Patrick Neville of Douglas County as Republican minority leader in the House with more Democrat friendly Hugh McKean of Loveland.
The enormous success of Murdoch in Colorado was spearheaded by Terrance Carroll, the former Democratic Speaker of the Colorado House who became the president of Unite Colorado in 2019. Flushed with success, Kathryn Murdoch is expected to provide many more millions to Carroll to help turn the Colorado Republican party blue. The roadmap is generally not to challenge incumbent conservative Republicans, but rather to wait until
Biggest Republican Primary Donor: The wealthy New York progressive Democrat Kathryn Murdoch is the biggest donor to Republican primaries in Colorado. She is determined to get Republicans elected in strong conservative districts who will help Democrats pass highly progressive legislation.
they are term limited. Non-incumbents seldom have many resources and therefore the Murdoch candidates will have an enormous advantage over any non-incumbent conservatives. Moreover, the Murdoch candidates almost never run as liberal Republicans and their campaign literature is seldom any different from conservatives. It is estimated that Murdoch and Carroll will take the 2022 and 2024 election cycles to complete their work in taking over the Colorado Republican Party
King Of Republican Primaries: Terrance Carroll, the former Democrat Speaker of the State House, has more money to spend in Republican primaries in Colorado than anyone else in the state thanks to New York progressive Kathryn Murdoch.
In response, grassroot Republicans have begun a campaign to only allow Republicans and not unaffiliated voters to vote in Republican primaries and thereby greatly reducing the influence that Murdoch and Carroll would have in Republican primaries. This so-called Opt Out campaign (which the publisher of this paper has supported) is greatly opposed by some large Republican donors and their consultants, believing it would reduce their influence over the party, and believing they could work with Murdoch and Carroll easier than with the grassroots of the Republican party.
That is where Jon Caldera and the Independence Institute comes in. The Independence Institute is not required and does not reveal its donors, but it is assumed it is the same as the wealthy donors to the Republican and Democratic parties and may include Kathryn Murdoch. It would appear Caldera’s job is to convince Republicans that withstanding every indication to the contrary, Republicans in Colorado are on the verge of victory but only if they do not Opt Out. The opportunity to Opt Out under state law occurs only every two years. If Caldera is successful, Murdoch and Carroll will have ample time to successfully complete their endeavors. Of course, behind the scenes many top Democratic operatives are cheering Caldera and the Independence Institute on. The Democratic operatives believe that if Caldera and the Independence Institute are successful in stopping the Opt Out campaign it could guarantee a very progressive future for Colorado for decades to come.
by Mark Smiley | Jul 23, 2021 | Main Articles
This Month Broe To Begin Construction Of Phased $35 Million Street Conversion By Bulldozing Buildings At 2nd Ave. And Clayton
by Glen Richardson
Broe Real Estate Group — which owns the bulk of the east side of Clayton St. in Cherry Creek North — is restarting the pandemic-paused transformation of the north-south street this month by bulldozing structures on the southeast corner of 2nd Ave. at Clayton.
Leveling of the structures will make way for construction of an eight-story, 76,000-sq.-ft. high-rise that will feature both retail space and commercial offices.
Building site construction fencing was installed along the southeast side of Clayton at 2nd Ave. in mid-July. Two existing two-story structures, one at 200 Clayton — location of Planet Laboratories Aveda Cherry Creek for years — and the other at 210 Clayton — where Show Of Hands was a longtime tenant — are slated to be demolished.
Mega Makeover
Starting Structure: Rendering of eight-story building that will be the first built. Existing structures at 200 and 210 Clayton St. will be bulldozed to make way for the building.
Broe has been based in Cherry Creek since 1983 and its headquarters is at 252 Clayton St. The group plans to leave the adjacent four-story structure it owns at 216 Clayton St.
But when 200 Clayton is done, it will then demolish the two-story parking garage it owns to the north and build yet another seven-story structure. It is projected to have 3,000-sq-ft. of ground-floor retail space and 31,890-sq.-ft. of office space.
Above- and below-ground parking for the two sites will be a combined 297 spaces. The estimated total cost for the mega street makeover is $35 million. In all, about 0.62 acres are being redeveloped.
Mega Bucks Firm
The first office building already has one tenant. OmniTrax, a railroad company that is also owned by The Broe Group, will take the second and third floors of 200 Clayton, about 20,000-sq.-ft. The firm currently operates out of a 29,000-sq. ft. space at 252 Clayton, a structure that Broe purchased in 1983. Active negotiations are reportedly underway with unaffiliated prospective tenants for the remaining office space on floors four through eight.
Broe played a role in the development of downtown office tower The Tabor Center back in the 1980s. The firm built Country Club Towers II & III, twin 32-story apartment towers in West Wash Park that were completed in 2017. Much of its work, however is outside Colorado, including an industrial warehouse project outside the Port of Savannah in Georgia.
The Creek-based firm directs a multibillion-dollar portfolio of real estate, transportation, energy and investment assets that span North America. Broe Group and its managed affiliates employ more than 1,000 people. Up until now, however, the only thing the company has built in Cherry Creek is the building at 216 Clayton St., which houses the headquarters of both The Broe Group and its real estate subsidiary.
Street Spruce-Up
The company is working with Beck Architecture to design the buildings in the makeover. Planning and landscape firm Dunn + Kiley is creating the streetscape design. Initial plans for the four contiguous parcels on the street include use of local stone plinths as street f
Street Conversion: Broe Real Estate Group — which owns the bulk of the east side of Clayton St. in Cherry Creek North — is starting a phased $35 million makeover of the block.
urniture and play elements and possibly roof top terraces.
Broe Real Estate Group CEO Doug Wells says uncertainty caused by the pandemic pushed the project back until this year. “We were gearing up pre-pandemic to start this last August,” he acknowledges.
The 200 Clayton project is just the first phase of the firm’s expansive Clayton Street redevelopment. Wells is hopeful the first project will be completed in early 2023, although mid-2024 is likely more realistic. That being said, the street conversion probably won’t be finished until near the end of the decade.
Stressed Street
Streetscape Plans: Planning-landscape firm Dunn + Kiley is creating the streetscape design. Use of local stone plinths as street furniture and play elements plus possibly roof top terraces are being considered.
Construction, of course, isn’t new along the block of Clayton Street between 2nd and 3rd Ave. in Cherry Creek.
Shoppers and business owners have encountered constant sidewalk and street slowdowns and blockage since 2018 when Matt Joblon’s BMC Investments demolished the Inn at Cherry Creek and started construction of The Clayton.
In November 2017 Joblon said, “renovation should take about a year to complete.” The hotel and membership club — across the street from the newly launched Broe development — just opened this summer. The two-story parking garage to be demolished following the 200 Clayton work is directly across from the posh new hotel.
Bottlenecks Ahead
Fenced Out: Building site construction fencing was installed along the southeast side of Clayton at 2nd Ave. in mid-July as street conversion gets underway.
Yet another redevelopment bottleneck is likely to begin soon nearby between 1st and 2nd Ave. from Josephine to Detroit St. Clayton Lane Investors LLC — a partnership between Brookfield and Invesco Real Estate — just purchased the portion of the Clayton Lane parking garage it didn’t own from the Nichols Partnership for $14.9 million.
The entity now owns the entire retail portion of the Clayton Lane project, which includes Whole Foods, a shuttered Sears store, and the retail spaces along 2nd Ave. The deal is significant because Clayton Lane Investors has previously discussed redeveloping Clayton Lane, including demolishing Whole Foods and the parking garage. Previous plans called for Whole Foods to be rebuilt on what is now the west portion of the parking lot. The development has been delayed by Nichols owning a portion of the garage.
The ownership group, however hasn’t released in new information about future plans for the massive retail site.
Pending Projects
While the first post-pandemic new construction is likely to be on the Creek’s west end, new construction could pop up at these three spots: BMC owns the infill site at 235 Fillmore that has set vacant for several years. Joblon, who has proposed an office building with ground-floor retail, could start up the project at any time.
Another potential building hot spot is at 2nd Ave. and Adams. A two-story office building and home were cleared from the site a year ago. Local owner Blair Richardson originally said he planned to construct an all-glass building with ground floor retail and four levels of office space.
Finally, a seven-story, 136-unit senior living project is proposed near the intersection of Alameda Ave. and Colorado Blvd. Named Solterra Senior Living, that project site has also sat vacant for more than two years. The latest chapter in the growth of Cherry Creek North restarts the district’s boomtown buildup that lasted eight straight years before the pandemic hit. The district was known for decades as a shopping mecca of charm and hospitality.
