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March 28, 2014 Arapahoe County, Colorado | Volume 13, Issue 18 A publication of
centennialcitizen.net
Hearing to look at retail pot ban Public will have final opportunity to weigh in on recreational sales By George Lurie
glurie@coloradocommunitymedia.com
The Arapaho Nation honored Arapahoe High School principal Natalie Pramenko during a special dance and presented her with a blanket from the Tribe during a March 21 ceremony at the school. Photos by Bill Youmans/Littleton Public Schools
Sharing the Warrior spirit Dozens of members of the Arapaho Tribal Nation visited Arapahoe High School on March 21, interacting with students and performing traditional ceremonies. The event brought the Arapaho Tribe from the Wind River Indian Reservation in Riverton, Wyo., to renew a relationship that has existed with the school, whose mascot is the Warriors, since 1993.
Pot continues on Page 10
Members of the Arapaho Tribe perform one of several dances during a March 21 ceremony at Arapahoe High School.
TopGolf wants to tee off in Centennial Texas-based company could create hundreds of local jobs By George Lurie
glurie@coloradocommunitymedia.com TopGolf, one of the country’s fastestgrowing niche sports entertainment businesses, wants to open its first Colorado outlet in Centennial. The company, which was founded in England and has more than a dozen U.S. locations, is currently finalizing plans to bring its unique game to the Rockies. At existing locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Illinois and Texas, the company employs as many as four hundred people locally, and company officials boast that a TopGolf outlet creates an estimated $245 million in economic output for its host city over a 10-year period. TopGolf’s proposal to build a new outlet in Centennial will go before the city council for a first reading on April 14. The Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to review the company’s site plan in mid-April and a public hearing before city council is set for May 5. The proposed development site, currently a vacant lot, is located on the northeast corner of Havana and Easter. “We’re still working through some of the technical stuff with the company right now,” said Corri Spiegel, Centennial’s eco-
The city council will hold a public hearing on April 14 to gauge public sentiment regarding a proposal to ban recreational marijuana sales and commercial grow operations within the city limits. But during preliminary discussion of a pot ban at a study session earlier this year, councilors appeared unanimous in their opposition to allowing marijuana businesses to gain a foothold in Centennial. Addressing the issue recently, Centennial Mayor Cathy Noon said retail pot shops are “not consistent with the image we are trying to project for the city.” At a Feb. 18 study session, council discussed local regulatory options regarding adult use or recreational marijuana establishments and then directed staff to draft an ordinance to allow the city to consider imposing a ban on commercial recreational marijuana establishments. As part of the proposed ordinance, staff also incorporated an administrative
TopGolf offers an array of attractions for golf enthusiasts. Courtesy photo nomic development manager. Spiegel characterized the lot as “pretty challenging. About a third of the site is basically undevelopable because of an existing drainage way,” she said. TopGolf officials are currently working with city planners to finalize details of a rezoning of the parcel to General Commercial. Adrienne Browne, senior communica-
tions manager for TopGolf, said if OK’d by city council the company’s Centennial location will be modeled after facilities in Houston and Austin, Texas. “This will change the character of the area,” said Spiegel of TopGolf’s proposed new three-story building, which is expected to encompass around 60,000 to 65,000 Golf continues on Page 13
South Metro CEO resigns John Brackney suddenly leaves chamber of commerce after a decade as president By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com John Brackney, president and CEO of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, unexpectedly announced his resignation via email to chamber members March 24. “In order for the chamber to take new steps, the time has come for me to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders. I am resigning as CEO,” he wrote. “It has been an awesome ride, one I have appreciated and cherished every day. Admittedly imperfect but always driven, I hope I have made some Brackney small contribution to the success in your business and your life. My greater hope is that we all re-commit to building an increasingly vibrant business community and quality of life.” Herm Brocksmith, the Centennial-based chamber’s chairman of the board, declined CEO continues on Page 13
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