Transcript WHEAT RIDGE 2.21.13
Wheat Ridge
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 29, Issue 35
February 21, 2013
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourwheatridgenews.com
Hancock says connectivity key to economy Transit between Denver, surrounding cities helps get people to work, play By Sara Van Cleve
svancleve@ourcoloradonews. com The greatest tool the Denver metro area has at its disposal is its regionalism. That is what Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock said when he stopped by the Wheat Ridge Business Association’s meeting Feb. 12 at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center. “We are living in potentially the most powerful economic time this region has experienced in our history,” Hancock said. “A lot of it is driven by what’s happening with national and international economics and also the decisions that we’ve made as a region — decision we made as a region to invest about $6 billion on the transit system, which is going to drive the future of our economy.” Since the first train was built in 1858 from Denver to Cheyenne, transit has played a major role in the metro area’s economy, Han-
cock said. Now, more than 150 years later, Denver International Airport is the region’s biggest economic engine, he said. “It has allowed us to attract some international investment, which, quite frankly, we haven’t been able to attract ... bringing thousands of jobs,” he said. Hancock said he and his staff have looked at three major projects happening now in the Denver area — the growth and revitalization of downtown Denver, development along the Platte River and the “airtropolis,” a corridor running from Union Station to DIA — and they realized something. “If we accomplish all we’re planning for, we’re talking about 105,000 new jobs to the region,” he said. “We’re talking about a $5.4 billion economic impact to our region. These are just samples of three area. And then you look at why it’s occurring — we spark growth through community connectivity.” The Denver metro area is No. 1 in the nation for relocation of 25-40 year olds, many of whom are unemployed when they arrive, Hancock said. People are relocating to the Denver area due to growth of the
job market, the active lifestyle and the vibrancy of downtown, he said. The connectivity of the metro area, through RTD and FasTracks, for example, is also a draw for many young people. People want to be able to get on a train, go to work, walk to entertainment and get back on a train to go home, Hancock said. Being able to connect Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Lakewood and other cities to downtown and DIA is creating an enormous economic opportunity. “They move here to entertain, to play, it’s the active lifestyle,” he said. “When they entertain, they’ll start meeting people they want to marry and settle down with. When they do that, the whole landscape for what they’re looking for begins to change.” As the younger crowd matures, they’ll be looking for safe neighborhoods with good schools, the ease of mobility and nearby family attractions. “I think there’s an organic interest and attraction to the suburban communities,” Hancock said. “We want to encourage them to stay in the region and raise their families and continue to make this a great region play, live and get connected to.”
Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock discusses the current economic climate and future possibilities for the metro region during a Wheat Ridge Business Association meeting Feb. 12 at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center. Photo by Sara Van Cleve
Sheriff ’s facility tracks on budget Construction contract approved this week By Glenn Wallace
gwallace@ourcoloradonews. com The construction phase of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Complex expansion and remodel project is about to get under way and reported on budget. Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved a $26,209,592 construction contract with Haselden Construction during the Tuesday meeting. Phase One of the project, the preconstruction design and cost estimations, has been under way since January 2012, and contracted to Haselden Construction. Half a year earlier, county staff had warned the sheriff’s complex was estimated to come in as much as $8.6 million over budget. Value engineering and construction design savings were credited with bringing the project back in line. Most recently, Haselden’s Phase Two bid was actually $915,000 less than initially esti-
TAKING A TIP
mated after plan revisions. Facilities and Construction Management representative Anne Panza told the commissioners that “long term efficiency, and building quality was preserved” during the engineering cost savings changes at a staff briefing a week ago. At that briefing, Special Projects Chief Jeff Shrader with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said the plans for the new facility would greatly aid the agency, noting expanded evidence vault area with a doubling of useable space as one example. “We think it’s going to provide us with space for the next 20 to 40 years,” Shrader said. He added that gun and DNA lab space are still included in the revised complex design. One feature of the sheriff’s complex not included in the new design is an impound yard. Shrader said the department has privatized most of that operation, and already shifted about 80 percent of impounded vehicles offsite. Shrader said the freed-up space would be used to help stage for the coming construction. Construction could begin as early as March, and is expected to take 15 months.
Alameda’s Jon Sena, left, is outjumped by Wheat Ridge Farmer Stefan Pryzbylo on the opening tipoff Friday night at Wheat Ridge High. See more sports, Pages 22-23 Photo by Andy Carpenean
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