Colorado economy? (Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo: ski resort, apartment, foreclosed)

[Josseppie]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

I think it real interesting that, back when the DIA bill of goods was sold to the taxpayers, a key selling point was that DIA would be built far away from any urban or suburban development for both reasons of safety and so that noise from the airport operation would disturb few people--and it was supposed to stay that way. Now, there is all kinds of new and proposed development around that g*******ed taxpayer black hole that is going to exactly recreate the problem that caused Denver to have to abandon Stapleton International Airport. Once again, the developer slugs are having their way with the taxpayers, while the politicians not only ignore the promises that they made when DIA was initially proposed, but they are actually encouraging the betrayal. Of course, I'm probably one of the few posters on this forum that has been around Colorado long enough to remember when those now broken promises were made . . .

The same thing happened to the Colorado Springs airport and even the Pueblo airport. That is what happens when cities grow and its not new. Pueblo's first airport was built in the "boonies" then the city grew so it was moved to where it is now in the 1940's I believe. The funny thing is I live less then 4 blocks from where the old airport was (its by the state fair) and I live in what is considered to be the older part of town. My point is its only natural for their to be development around DIA and that is good for Denver and Colorado.

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

I think it real interesting that, back when the DIA bill of goods was sold to the taxpayers, a key selling point was that DIA would be built far away from any urban or suburban development for both reasons of safety and so that noise from the airport operation would disturb few people--and it was supposed to stay that way. Now, there is all kinds of new and proposed development around that g*******ed taxpayer black hole that is going to exactly recreate the problem that caused Denver to have to abandon Stapleton International Airport. Once again, the developer slugs are having their way with the taxpayers, while the politicians not only ignore the promises that they made when DIA was initially proposed, but they are actually encouraging the betrayal. Of course, I'm probably one of the few posters on this forum that has been around Colorado long enough to remember when those now broken promises were made . . .

The plan is for DIA to be in existence for 50 years from 1995. That's the plan before they envision being swallowed up.

I have been surprised the amount of development around DIA since I first started going there in 1999.

[Josseppie]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

Interesting news today in the Denver Post about a major hotel set for east Aurora near DIA.

Excerpts:
- Gaylord Entertainment today said it has selected a site for its planned $800 million, 1,500-room hotel in Aurora.
- Aurora City Council to approved a massive incentive package.
- contingent on receiving state funding available under the regional tourism act

Gaylord is the firm that runs the opulent Opryland Hotel in Nashville. BTDT a few times and found the place wonderful.

Note too the map; the hotel will be near a proposed light rail stop and the proposed site of the Denver Stock Show. That last item carries a probability that the existing National Western Stock Show grounds may end up be rebuilt into something else; hopefully dense housing with a rail stop, though I'm not sure who'd like to live adjacent to I-70. I've been to the NWSS many times and find it has a certain old charm to it, but .... times change ... things change.

Bottom line for me is that the world continues to spin, change continues to happen, and serious people continue to plan their future.

I wanted to add that this is the same tourism grant I posted about in the tourism thread. According to KCNC if they do not get the grant the developer will not build the convention center/ hotel. There are many cities going after the grant including Pueblo with only 6 to be given out. It will be interesting to see what cities end up getting the grant.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by Josseppie

I wanted to add that this is the same tourism grant I posted about in the tourism thread. According to KCNC if they do not get the grant the developer will not build the convention center/ hotel. There are many cities going after the grant including Pueblo with only 6 to be given out. It will be interesting to see what cities end up getting the grant.

So, if they don't get a nice, fat taxpayer subsidy they won't build here. Good--tell 'em to go build someplace else, then. It always amazes me how so-called champions of private enterprise become &*@#$!!!ing socialists if they think they can screw some money out of the taxpayers. Good riddance to those leaches.

[Josseppie]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

So, if they don't get a nice, fat taxpayer subsidy they won't build here. Good--tell 'em to go build someplace else, then. It always amazes me how so-called champions of private enterprise become &*@#$!!!ing socialists if they think they can screw some money out of the taxpayers. Good riddance to those leaches.

You might get your wish. I have talked to people who say Pueblo proposal is more modest, obviously, but is more balanced with what the developers will invest in the project versus the local and state governments.

[Bob from down south]

Originally Posted by Josseppie

You might get your wish. I have talked to people who say Pueblo proposal is more modest, obviously, but is more balanced with what the developers will invest in the project versus the local and state governments.

LMAO at the idea of a 1500 room luxury hotel in Pueblo...sure, makes complete business sense to build a mega-hotel conveniently located in the front-range's depressed southern fringe! Even if Pueblo could tax local taco and burrito sales enough to fund the corruption and graft needed to make it even marginally attractive to the developers, there's no meaningful customer base or attractions there. Location, location, location...

Maybe they can build it next to your nuclear power plant.

[CosmicWizard]

Bob from down south wrote:

Maybe they can build it next to your nuclear power plant.

And just off the 10 lane beltway circling the great metropolis of Pueblo.

[Josseppie]

Originally Posted by Bob from down south

LMAO at the idea of a 1500 room luxury hotel in Pueblo...sure, makes complete business sense to build a mega-hotel conveniently located in the front-range's depressed southern fringe! Even if Pueblo could tax local taco and burrito sales enough to fund the corruption and graft needed to make it even marginally attractive to the developers, there's no meaningful customer base or attractions there. Location, location, location...

Maybe they can build it next to your nuclear power plant.

Not sure where you got the idea that the project in Pueblo is for a 1,500 room hotel?

Pueblo's project would double the size of the convention center to 100,000 square feet, build a arena that the PBR would use to train potential bull riders and could be used by the convention center as extra convention space when needed and concerts, build a new museum for the medal of honors, build a new performing arts theater, build a new Olympic size swimming pool to be used for regional events and a new parking garage. Private money would be used to build two hotels, condos, and retail buildings around the Riverwalk.



This is a map of the proposal.

I made it perfectly clear that this proposal is more modest, that means smaller, but I am told the funding is more balanced with what the developers will invest in the project versus the local and state governments.

For comparison sake here is the picture of the proposed hotel and convention center in Aurora.



An artist's drawing shows plans for a hotel and convention center near Denver International Airport. The National Western Stock Show may relocate nearby.

[ragerunner1]

That proposal for Pueblo is actually very nice looking. The mix of attractions, hotels, venues etc... integrated with the riverwalk looks economic viable. I hope they can get the funds needed to make an urban development like this happen.

As far as the Gaylord development, I have been to several of their resorts and they are truly an attraction unto themselves. I think it speaks volumes about the Denver's area ability to attract tourist and convention business. Gaylord is clearly one of the top convention resort owners in the US and are pretty selective where they build.

Funding, clearly the State and Aurora need to way the return on the investment for this project (or any project). I have not read all the final numbers yet for this project but, if the 'taxpayer' helps with about $300 million or so than that means the private sector is still investing around $500 million in the state of Colorado for this project. That is a nice chunk of change on top of 2,000 construction jobs (an industry that clearly is hurting), 1,500 permanent jobs and spin off economics.

[Josseppie]

I have two problems with the Gaylord project in Aurora.

1) Location. I think they could of found a much better location for it in Aurora.

2) Can Denver really support two major convention centers? I have a feeling its going to take away from the main one in downtown and that would not be good for the MSA.