Reader: Better to Gentrify a Parking Lot Than a Neighborhood

The south end of the Broncos' stadium will soon change. A nonprofit created by the Metropolitan Football Stadium District, a political subdivision of the state, and the Broncos is "exploring the creation of a mixed-use neighborhood destination on the property, which is currently occupied by surface parking lots that are only used during games and special events."

The city's planning department will hold public meetings to gather input on the plan. How do readers feel about it?

Michael says:

More corporate welfare. Giving them a stadium isn't enough. Now we have to give them property to develop.

 Doug argues:

More gentrification, this will go hand in hand with the proposed redevelopment of the Sun Valley Area to the south. What will happen to the parking and RTD Bronco Buses?

  Timbo explains:

Nah, more Hancrook the mayor and his cronies. What a sad sack he is.. You Denver folks will get screwed. Enjoy, you vote Dumbocrap and that's what you get.

Spenser notes:

Better to gentrify a parking lot than a neighborhood.

Dalton says:

Because getting to and from events and parking doesn’t suck enough already...

 Dave explains:

Grow or die. There is no in between. Amusement parks are horribly underutilized properties. Elitch Gardens leaving northwest Denver was great for West Highlands. Ugly dirt parking lot is now filled with housing and retail. Certain sports stadia (looking at you, American-style football) belong out in the boonies. How many days a year is Mile High occupied? Do attendees spend money in the downtown area or do they just drive, arrive and depart?

Keep reading for more stories about gentrification and Mile High Stadium.

One of the many Sports Authority Field at Mile High signs that Broncos fans have seen at the stadium for years.

Denver 7 via YouTube

"South End of Broncos Stadium to Become Entertainment Destination"

Anthony Camera

"Sun Valley Could Be Denver's Next Big Thing"

A look at Mile High Stadium from one of its parking lots.

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development

"Inside $351 Million-Plus Plan to Revitalize Sun Valley Around Mile High Stadium"

Michael Roberts

"Buying Broncos Stadium Naming Rights Killed Sports Authority, Expert Says"

Historic Denver

"Disappearing Denver: Looking Back at Buildings We've Lost"

The Broncos and the stadium district, which owns the property slated for the plan, expect the development will create a long-term, consistent income stream to support maintaining and improving the taxpayer-owned stadium. They expect to replace any parking that is lost to development.

"Redeveloping the south end of the stadium property is an opportunity to realize the recommendations in the neighborhood plan, which include improving transportation connections between the site and nearby transit, downtown, the Sun Valley and west-side neighborhoods, the highway and the South Platte River,” says Brad Buchanan, executive director of Denver Community Planning and Development.

“The Stadium District can transform its surface parking lots into a neighborhood asset, and we want to work with the community to guide that transformation and ensure it conforms to Denver’s values,” he adds.

Five years ago, Sun Valley residents, businesses and property owners, including the Broncos, established a vision for the area in the Decatur-Federal Station Area Plan. They recommended creating a year-round, mixed-use retail, entertainment and cultural hub to complement the stadium and other local recreational opportunities, with Lower Colfax as a “main street.”

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