Forget Target: Tamarac deal will help Chick-fil-A fly!

Denver City Council last night approved $5 million in tax-increment financing for a new Target store -- only the second in Denver -- that will be built at the former home of Tamarac Square. But some people will be more interested in another facet of this $40 million development: a...

By Patricia Calhoun

March 28, 2012

What happens on the ground matters — Your support makes it possible.

We’re aiming to raise $17,000 by August 10, so we can deepen our reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now: grassroots protests, immigration, politics and more.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$17,000

$340

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Denver City Council last night approved $5 million in tax-increment financing for a new Target store -- only the second in Denver -- that will be built at the former home of Tamarac Square. But some people will be more interested in another facet of this $40 million development: a new Chick Fil-A.

Yesterday, when Lori Midson plucked a few fast-food feathers, fans jumped to the defense of their beloved Chick fil-A. Now they'll get one on the north side of East Hampden Avenue, by that new Target.

Target is the major component of the development plan; a 135,000-square-foot store will be built on the spot where the mall once stood, and its sales-tax receipts will go to pay of the TIF.

The adjacent, 33,000-square-foot convenience center, where Ace Hardware will remain, will also be renovated. India's was once located there, too, but as business fell off at Tamarac, it moved across Hampden two years ago. And the Rodney's at Tamarac closed altogether in early 2011.

The Benihana , which occupies a building on the east side of the parking lot, will also remain on the site.

Follow @CafeWestword on Twitter and at facebook.com/denvercafesociety

Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

A message from Patricia Calhoun: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s evolving dining scene and the latest culinary innovations our community offers.

Support Today