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January 2, 2014
50 cents Adams County, Colorado | Volume 50, Issue 21 A publication of
northglenn-thorntonsentinel.com
Redevelopment tops 2013 headlines Cities see sparks of life as businesses move in By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@coloradocommunitymedia.com From devastating statewide flooding to the heart-breaking court process for a child killer to long-waited economic development and rail projects to a show-down with the Adams County sheriff and local police chiefs — 2013 was a busy newsmaking year. In no particular order, here are Colorado Community Media’s top 10 biggest stories of the year for the NorthglennThornton Sentinel:
FasTracks line in north becoming reality
The Regional Transportation District Board of Directors voted Nov. 26 to hire Graham, Balfour Beatty, Hamon Constructors to design and build the North Metro Rail Line to 124th Avenue. Construction will likely begin mid-2014 and the line should be ready for use in 2018 following testing, said RTD Project Manager Jim Starling. The contract bid was for $343 million and will be paid by issuing Certificates of Participation (COPS). The line is supposed to end at Highway 7/162nd Avenue but RTD has funding only planned for up to 124th at this time. The North Metro Rail line is 18.5 miles of electric commuter rail that connects Denver Union Station with Northglenn, Commerce City and Thornton. Funding is already in place for the first part of the North Metro Line, between Denver Union Station and the National Western Stock Show. The construction of that segment is expected to be completed by 2017. In September, RTD vowed that securing funding for the North Metro Line up to 72nd Avenue was a top priority. This vow came on the heels of public criticism by area leaders after RTD board decided against placing a 0.4 percent sales tax increase on the November 2012 ballot, which would have helped fund the construction of the North Metro and Northwest lines. They also criticized the board for approving and funding extensions before the entire FasTracks have been built out. When the RTD board approved its amended regional transportation plan last year, the plan stated that service to 72nd would not happen until the 2030-35 timeframe with the funding currently available. The future began looking brighter for the North Metro Rail Line in February when RTD received an unsolicited proposal to build the line, which led to RTD looking at other options and soliciting for bids.
Former Target site eyed for auto sales, café, offices
After more than 12 years of trying to secure a developer for the 15 acres of land south of east 104th Avenue between Grant and Washington streets, known commonly as the former Target site, the city is selling the property to three developers. City Council, acting as the Thornton Development Authority (TDA), approved during its Oct. 29 meeting agreements to sell 11.1 acres for the development of an auto dealership and 1.622 acres for leased POSTAL ADDRESS
Flooding prompted closures on Riverdale Road near Henderson Road in Adams County in September. Courtesy photo
A construction crew works on one of six buildings that is part of the Webster Lake Promenade development at 120th Avenue and Grant Street in Northglenn in November. Most businesses plan to hold grand openings over the summer. Photo by Tammy Kranz office space. At a previous meeting, the TDA agreed to sell 2.37 acres of land south of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant along the east side of Grant Street for $519,714 to $633,798 (final cost depends on size of facility) to the Riverside Restaurant Group Holdings Inc. It plans to build and operate a 7,939-squarefoot Cheddars Casual Café. Staff expects an opening next summer or fall. SRE-Colorado 3 LLC has agreed to purchase 11.1036 acres south of east 104th in the central portion of the property for $2,814,983. It plans to build and operate Sonic Automotive, which will feature two buildings, totaling 50,000 to 75,000 square feet, for office, auto sales and vehicle preparation
The TDA unanimously approved to sell 1.622 acres to North Forest Office Space of Colorado LLC to build and operate a 14,500-square-foot facility that will be used as leased office space.
Cabela’s opens third site in Thornton
The international outdoor outfitter and retailer Cabela’s opened its doors on Aug. 15 at 144th Avenue and Interstate 25 in Thornton. The store will serve as an anchor to a 63acre retail development called The Grove, which is located at the southeast corner of 144th and I-25. The Grove is projected to have 290,000 square feet of hospitality and retail space in addition to Cabela’s 90,000 square-foot store.
NORTHGLENN-THORNTON SENTINEL (ISSN 1044-4254) (USPS 854-980)
OFFICE: 8703 Yates DR., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Adams County, Colorado, the NorthglennThornton Sentinel is published weekly on Thursday by MetroNorth Newspapers, 7380 Lowell Blvd., Westminster, CO 80030. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT WESTMINSTER, COLORADO. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 8703 Yates DR., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. | Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Tues. 12 p.m.
Thornton police Chief Randy Nelson talks to the media at a press conference Tuesday about the Adams County sheriff turning away prisoners last week. From left, Brighton Chief Clint Blackhurst, Commerce City Chief Troy Smith, and Westminster Chief Lee Birk join Nelson and Aurora Chief Dan Oates (not in picture) who served as the spokesman. Photo by Tammy Kranz Cabela’s also held a grand opening the week before for its Lone Tree location. The store already has a site in Grand Junction. In addition to thousands of outdoor products, Cabela’s will feature a gabled entry facade, fireplace, Gun Library, Bargain Cave, Fudge Shop and mountain replica featuring North American game animals recreated in their natural habitat.
Work begins on Interstate 25 toll lanes The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) began work on the I-25
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