Northglenn thornton sentinel 0206

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February 6, 2014

50 cents Adams County, Colorado | Volume 50, Issue 26 A publication of

northglenn-thorntonsentinel.com

Empty lot converted into baseball facility By Tammy Kranz

tkranz@coloradocommunitymedia.com Mark Danuser drove north on Interstate 25 often for his job. While stuck in traffic, he would often notice the abandoned baseball field off 64th Avenue. “I couldn’t figure out over the years why this just stood here empty,” said the baseball enthusiast.

Players play a game of ball in July 4 last year at Here to Play, 601 E. 64th Ave. Here to Play offers indoor and outdoor baseball training facilities and will be hosting baseball camps for children of all ages this spring. Photo courtesy of Here to Play

On one of those drives, Danuser took a detour off the highway and investigated the field. It was connected to the old Mapleton High School, which closed in 1988. Although organizations have rented out the building over the years, the field connected to it had been neglected — weeds Facility continues on Page 15

City lacks building space for new businesses New tenants at The Grove expected to be announced By Tammy Kranz

tkranz@coloradocommunitymedia. com

Graduates at Brighton High School listen to commencement speakers during their graduation in May last year. Graduation rates statewide were released and School District 27J saw an increase, pushing itself past the state average. Courtesy photo

Districts see grad rates improve School District 27J rate rises to highest point in 7 years By Tammy Kranz

tkranz@ coloradocommunitymedia.com Graduation rates have improved statewide, and area school districts also experienced increases in its rates in 2013 over the previous year. The Colorado Department of Education released graduation rates for 2013 and according to its data, the state average of students graduating on time rose to 76.9 percent in 2013 from 75.4 percent in 2012. Although Adams 12 Five Star Schools and Mapleton Public Schools saw increases in its rates, it did not exceed the state’s average. D12’s rate in-

POSTAL ADDRESS

creased from 69.9 percent in 2012 to 73.7 percent in 2013. Mapleton’s rate increased from 42.5 percent in 2012 to 47.8 percent in 2013. School District 27J surpassed the state’s average, coming in at 79.2 percent, an increase from its 71.5 percent standing in 2012. “I’m proud of our students, our staff and our instructional leaders for the tremendous work they are accomplishing in the classroom,” said Chris Fiedler, D27J’s superintendent. “We continue to see the positive results of our district’s clear, collaborative educational focus. With our continued instructional focus and a revitalized student intervention department committed to giving every student the opportunity to graduate, I believe our best work is still ahead of us.” Brighton High School’s graduation

rate rose from 73.8 percent in 2012 to 81.7 percent in 2013. Prairie View High School’s graduation rate increased from 79.6 percent in 2012 to 82.9 percent in 2013. The graduation rate at district charter school Eagle Ridge Academy increased from 77.8 percent in 2012 to 92.7 percent in 2013. In its newsletter about the grad rates, District 12 officials focused on the grad rate that did not include its charter schools. That rate stood at 80.1 percent in 2013. The districts rates have increased over the last three years. “We believe this improvement is a result of our collective efforts to create multiple pathways for student learning and a more individualized approach to helping our students graduate on time Grad continues on Page 15

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.

The new business prospects for 2013 were good, but are declining due to lack of available building space in Thornton. “Having space for prospects remains an issue for us,” said John Cody, the city’s director economic development. “We anticipate it will continue to be an issue going forward until we are able to attract more development that will provide space to primary employers.” Cody gave an economic development update to City Council during its Jan. 28 regular meeting. He said that the city had nearly 100 companies inquire about moving into the city, and a little more than 60 actual prospects in 2013. Ultimate Electronics moved out of its Thornton location at 321 W. 84th Ave. in late September and Cody said staff was working to get a new tenant to take over the space. “We do have a couple of different companies that are looking fairly seriously at doing something with that building,” he said. Staff is also working with The Staenberg Group, the developer for The Grove, on potential tenants. The Grove is at the southeast corner of 144th Avenue and Interstate 25 and is projected to have 290,000 square feet of hospitality and retail space in addition to Cabela’s 90,000-square-foot store. Cody said he expects an announcement soon on other tenants looking to build or move into the space. Cody also highlighted during his presentation that his department was fully staffed. At this time the department includes Cody; Adam Krueger, primary employer attraction and retention; Mark Heller, redevelopment; Katy Press, retail development consultant; Julie Jacoby, retail and local business support; and Kim Schafer, real estate and marketing.

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