SEE MAINSTREET

of fi ve underutilized and vacant parcels in the core of downtown Parker.

The parcels are: • The property adjacent to the schoolhouse, 0.34 acres • 19801 E. Mainstreet, a lot at the corner of Victorian Drive and East Mainstreet, 0.9 acres • The space in front of the PACE Center, 1.4 acres • East Main - the area west of Discovery Park and the library, 4.1 acres • Pine Curve - the large lot where Mainstreet dead ends into Pine Drive, 24 acres

Pine Curve

Confl uence and its partner in the project, Craine Architecture, said their proposal for development on Pine Curve is still loose but includes plans for some kind of public market such as a 20,000-square-foot grocery store, a 4-story apartment building with retail in the base and a park or public art area.

The company also suggested creating a buffer between the development and the residential area to the east of the property.

Their proposal included an addition of 34 townhomes and fi ve larger residential structures with 10 units per building.

“It’s really about capping off Mainstreet and really bringing that pedestrian experience across,” said Jonathan Wehri with Craine Architecture.

Development of the Pine Curve parcel has been hotly debated within the town for years with some residents and council members supporting rezoning the property to be open space in recent years.

When providing feedback for the proposal, board members — who are the town council members and mayor — mostly gave support for this element of the proposal.

“I’ve gone to war on this one many times,” board member Cheryl Poage said with a laugh. “But I kind of like what you’re bringing.”

She added she’s concerned about a 4-story building blocking residents’ views.

“I think you’re on the right track,” said board member John Diak.

Discovery Park

Under the developer’s plan, the area near Discovery Park and the library, called the East Main property, would be the most dense area of the proposal with a 5-story apartment building with about 300 units over about 19,000 square feet of retail shops at the base. There would be about 330 parking spaces in the back.

The board members voiced support for this concept with Laura Hefta asking about the potential to add more shaded structures, walking paths and places to sit in the area.

“The general point is, you’re trying to create community and activity for the residents,” she said. “You’re trying to create a space where they want to come, they want to relax.”

Throughout their comments on the whole proposal, several board members spoke about their concerns regarding the height of some of the buildings in the plan.

“I want to make sure the development or how you build it is consistent with what people want,” board member John Diak said.

De Simone added that many of the things the community wants, such as restaurants and offi ces, are diffi cult to do as stand alone concepts.

“You need those residential components to help incentivize the other things that the public wants to see,” he said.

PACE Center

In the parcel in front of the PACE Center, developers suggested adding two buildings surrounding a plazalike space in the center.

They suggested adding a singlestory restaurant with a roof deck on the side of the property next to Pine Drive, a 3-story offi ce and retail building, a 5-story condo and retail building and the fi nal structure would be a parking garage for about 300 to 400 spaces.

Photos used to describe the aesthetic of this area included one of Denver’s Avanti Food and Beverage food hall.

“It would be awesome to come down, have dinner, hang out, see some performances, maybe live music outside, have restaurant, dining, rooftop amenities that really creates kind of an active atmosphere in front of the PACE Center but then you can go into the PACE Center and see a show and just have a wonderful evening,” Wehri said.

These structures could be owned by their operators rather than leased. The company suggested having a mix of leased and owned properties in the new Mainstreet buildings.

While Todd Hendreks said he likes the concept, board member Josh Rivero said this portion of the proposal was the one he struggles with, referencing the parking garage and height of the residential building.

“That’s going to be the sore point I think,” he said. “I have to digest this one. It makes sense but I’m going to have to dwell on this one a little bit.”

The developers said this concept was similar to the Encore mixed-use building in downtown Castle Rock. Encore, which opened this year, is a seven-story building with residential, retail and offi ce space on the west side, adjacent to Wilcox Street, and a parking garage on the east side, adjacent to Perry Street.

Poage also had concerns about this concept, saying she would like to see the area opened up more to provide a better view of the PACE Center.

Schoolhouse area

Developers pitched a two-story offi ce and retail building with about 10,000 square feet next to the schoolhouse.

The other lot adjacent to the schoolhouse would feature another two-story offi ce and retail building but would be larger at about 28,000 square feet. That area would also include a plaza outdoor dining space, according to the presentation.

“As many rooftops and patios as you can put in downtown, please. I know the population would love that,” Hendreks said. “We’re lacking that a little bit so that would be welcome.”

What’s next?

The Urban Renewal Authority, or P3, entered into a 90-day exclusive negotiation agreement with Confl uence Companies in January and will now extend the agreement another 90 days.

During that period, the company said it will work to fi rm up the Pine Curve concept, answer any questions and begin fi nancial modeling. By the end, they plan to present a proposal on how to make the project a reality, De Simone said.

The project would be completed in three phases over about fi ve to 10 years, according to the proposal. The fi rst phase would include the area near Discovery Park, the second would be the PACE Center lot and the smaller parcels on the west side of Mainstreet and the fi nal would be Pine Curve.

The full presentation is available on the P3 Parker Youtube channel.

Renderings of the proposed development for the East Main property near Discovery Park.

SCREENSHOTS OF CRAINE ARCHITECTURE AND CONFLUENCE COMPANIES PRESENTATION

The proposed development plan for the 24-acre Pine Curve plot of land near downtown Parker.

The proposed development plan for the 24-acre Pine Curve plot of land near downtown Parker.

MAY 6

MAY 7

Special appreciation event held

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

“This is the highlight of the year if you’re lucky enough to be nominated,” Michael Schneider, a teacher at Castle View High School, said. “A night like this, with these students, that will keep me going through a lot of rough times.”

After a three-year lapse during the pandemic, the Castle Rock stake of Church of the Latter-Day Saints hosted its annual Teacher Appreciation Night on April 13 for graduating seniors in the church to honor a teacher who infl uenced them and their education.

The 47 seniors honored 38 teachers from eight schools with a plaque that featured a photo of the student and a message about their impact.

Schneider, who teaches literature and English classes, was nominated by two students -- Lucy Seymour and Samuel Travis -- who both emphasized how he made the classroom environment fun, engaging and light-hearted.

“I picked Mr. Schneider because he’s an outstanding teacher,” Seymour said. “Whenever we were in class, it never felt like we were only just learning, but it was a fun start to my day. Even though my writing may have never shown it, I learned so much from his classes.”

Seymour said Schneider’s enthusiasm for books has actually led her to read more outside the classroom and really opened her eyes to a subject she initially wasn’t interested in.

For Travis, who already liked to read and write, Schneider helped him develop that passion and explore others, such as fi lm.

“Mr. Schneider made every class a fun learning environment and he put students fi rst when making lesson plans so he made everyone feel welcome,” he said. “He had an enthusiastic energy that made me excited for his class every day.”

Hugs, tears and smiles were a mainstay of the evening as students thanked their teachers one by one.

Breaking the mold, student Kaison Toone recognized several teach-

ers during his speech thanking his physics teacher Matthew Leach of Douglas County High School. Toone noted it’s diffi cult to honor just one person when so many have impacted him. “There are like dozens on dozens of teachers I could choose,” Toone said. “They’re all great and some year if you’re lucky enough to be of them are here. It makes me very nominated,” Michael Schneider, a happy you guys are my teachers, teacher at Castle View High School, I’ve learned an incredible amount. said. “A night like this, with these Thank you for my growth.” students, that will keep me going Castle View student Brody Cauble captured the theme of the evening best while honoring his teacher Erin Newton. “Mrs. Erin loves me and all of her students,” Cauble said. “She inspires and says good morning eving seniors in the church to honor ery single day. She dances with us, a teacher who infl uenced them and she tells great jokes and she loves their education. Reece’s, just like I do. I love Reece’s, but I love Mrs. Erin more.” ers from eight schools with a On top of the students, Castle plaque that featured a photo of the Rock Mayor Jason Gray and Castle student and a message about their Rock Stake President Chris Anderimpact. son both spoke to the importance of the work teachers do to educate and English classes, was nominated youth and build community. by two students -- Lucy Seymour Anderson said showing educators and Samuel Travis -- who both support is key to the great work emphasized how he made the class- they do and one of the main reasons room environment fun, engaging the event continues to happen every and light-hearted. year. “You all here do an amazing thing he’s an outstanding teacher,” Sey- and we appreciate you and your mour said. “Whenever we were in examples of putting the needs of other people before your own,” he said. “That’s what we hope these young men and women are learn-

Castle View High School teacher Michael Schneider poses with two of his students, Lucy Seymour and Samuel Travis, after they honored him at the Castle Rock Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Teacher Appreciation Night. Schneider called the

evening the highlight of the year. PHOTO BY MCKENNA HARFORD