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February 5, 2015 VOLU M E 1 4 | I S SUE 3
LoneTreeVoice.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Leaders: Transit, millennials shape future Panel discussion on southeast area revolves around light rail By Jane Reuter
jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com Light rail is crucial to the existing and continued economic success of southeast suburban Denver, several area leaders concurred during a Jan. 27 panel discussion on the corridor’s future. Six business and government leaders well-versed in the development boom shared their observations during “The Future of Southeast Suburban,” a two-hour event at the Inverness Hotel sponsored by Bisnow Media. All are dealing with the issues that ac-
company a robust economy, including building a transportation network needed to keep the momentum going. Several panelists said automobile-averse millennials are changing the face of transit. “They see life differently than we do,” said Scott Menefee, senior development director for Holland Partner Group. “When we were young, we saw cars as freedom; they view it as a liability.” Millennials are among a growing portion of the population seeking jobs and housing within easy walking distance to light rail. That makes Denver and its southeast suburbs attractive to developers. Menefee said Holland Partners, developers of apartment complexes at Belleview Station and Lincoln Station, are “big fans of Southeast continues on Page 9
From left, Denver’s Crissy Fanganello, Lone Tree Mayor Jim Gunning, Coventry’s Keith Simon, Charles Schwab’s Glenn Cooper and Holland Partner Group’s Scott Menefee were part of a Jan. 27 panel discussion on the future of the southeast suburbs. Photo by Jane Reuter
Light-rail designs unveiled
Home sales in Douglas County
Lone Tree officials like what they see By Jane Reuter
A look at the median sales price of single-family homes in some Douglas County communities in 2014 and the percentage change from 2013.
jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com
CASTLE ROCK: $356,000 9.4 percent HIGHLANDS RANCH: $370,000 7.8 percent LONE TREE: $634,000 34.5 percent PARKER: $369,000 10.8 percent COUNTYWIDE: $375,000 9.2 percent Source: Douglas Elbert Realtor Association website: derarealtors.com
County shines in economic numbers Unemployment Figures
Unemployment figures hit lowest level since 2008 By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdinando @coloradocommunitymedia.com When it comes to the economy, it’s a good time to be in Douglas County. The unemployment rate in the county fell to 3.2 percent in December — a 1.5 percentage-point drop from the same time the previous year — according to data released Jan. 27 by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, The dip below 4 percent in recent months marks the first time the county has seen such healthy employment figures since 2008. Douglas continues on Page 9
Dec. 2014
Nov. 2014
Dec. 2013
3.2 percent
3.3 percent
4.7 percent
DENVER
4.2 percent
4.1 percent
6.1 percent
COLORADO
4.0 percent
4.0 percent
5.9 percent
5.2 percent
5.8 percent
6.7 percent
DOUGLAS COUNTY
UNITED STATES
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
Lone Tree’s leaders recently got a peek into the future, reviewing initial designs for three light rail stations proposed as part of the southeast light rail extension. RTD made the presentation to city council during its Jan. 20 meeting. The proposed $207 million project includes construction of 2.3 miles of track and the three stations. The Sky Ridge and City Center stations are designed as drop-off/walk-up stops with no parking. The end-of-the-line station at RidgeGate Parkway and Interstate 25 would include a surface parking lot and 2,000-space parking structure. Three bridges would carry the train over major thoroughfares — at Lincoln Avenue, I-25 to and from the future city center site, and over RidgeGate Parkway near I-25 to and from the terminal at the southwest corner of RidgeGate and Havana Street. Costs could increase if the city asks for enhanced design work, RTD project manager Andy Mutz said. “We want to be able to collaborate with Lone Tree on design,” he told the council. “Any changes to those elements may affect the cost, but we certainly want to work with you to make sure you get everything you want.” Councilmembers liked what they saw. “This is something we’ve been looking forward to for a long time,” said Harold Anderson. “I’m just really pleased to see we’re moving along on this.” RTD plans a workshop with the city to talk more about design once it selects a contractor. Final design will be due by early 2016, when construction is expected to begin. The line would be complete in 2019. Upon completion of the extension, riders would be able to take one train from the RidgeGate station via the I-225 line through Aurora to Peoria Station along Interstate 70; there, they would be able to connect to the commuter train to Denver International Airport. Riders also would Station continues on Page 9