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June 5, 2014
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Adams County and Jefferson County, Colorado Volume 69, Issue 30
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A publication of
westminsterwindow.com
Principal named at Westminster High School
FULL CLOSURES ON U.S. 36
Kiewiet to take place of outgoing Michael Lynch By Ashley Reimers
areimers@colorado communitymedia.com
Construction continues on U.S. 36 throughout Westminster for the U.S. 36 Express Lanes Project. Part of the construction includes the current closure of the highway, eastbound and westbound, a quarter of a mile on each side of the McCaslin Boulevard for 12 nights, from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. until June 7. Photo by Mikkel Kelly
Movement at the mall Redevelopment to begin late summer at former mall site By Ashley Reimers
areimers@colorado communitymedia.com By late summer, residents will see some action happening in the area of the former Westminster Mall. Construction of the basic street grid network will begin at the 105acre site at U.S. 36 and Sheridan Boulevard as part of a plan that calls for a high-density, urban development with residential, commercial, retail and other uses. Along with seeing the start of construction, the city will also be negotiating a development agreement with San Diegobased OliverMcMillan, to be complete by late fall. In early May, the city of Westminster, the Westminster Economic Development Authority, WEDA, and OliverMcMillan entered into an exclusive agreement for the redevelopment of the former mall. The design firm was founded in 1978 and has developed more than 8 million square-feet. “We are thrilled to announce the alliance with OliverMcMillan. This firm is exactly what we need and want for this project,” said Westminster Mayor Herb Atchison. “They have extensive experience in mixeduse development, plus a great track history of sensitivity to each community’s uniqueness. With patience and our strategic actions, we have set the stage for ourselves to partner with someone just like this and it is now paying off.” The city was first introduced to OliverMcMillan back in 2008 after the city sent out a request for proposal to developers regarding the development of the former mall.
By late summer, Westminster residents will see construction happening at the site of the former Westminster Mall. At that time, the city will begin constructing the street grid. Photo by Ashley Reimers OliverMcMillan was one of the proposers. City manager Brent McFall said representatives from the firm came in for an interview, but after further review of the site and project, OliverMcMillan declined to move forward on the project due to variables involved in the project. “Although OliverMcMillan thought we had a great site, they decided there were too many unknowns on the project, like the fact that at that time, the city didn’t have control of the site and could possible face litigation with the owner,” McFall said. “Since then, the city has taken control of the site, took care of the demolition of the construction on the site and also resolved any potential lawsuits by acquiring the site. So now, the timing is right for them and for us.” McFall said the final touch on the deal
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was the city beginning the process of designing the horizontal infrastructure on the project by planning the street grid. With the street grid in place as well as the base level entitlements in place, McFall said OliverMcMillan will be able to come in and get their permits, planning approval and get under construction for phase one by fall of 2015. “This is a great site and we see an excellent opportunity to create a place that will endure into the future,” said Morgan Dene Oliver, CEO of OliverMcMillan. “The city of Westminster has shown visionary leadership in the ideas that are under consideration for the adaptive reuse of this site.” McFall said throughout the process the city will have community outreach meetings, as well as public hearings at planning commission and city council meetings to give people input on the project. The city is also going to start drawing people back to the area with events at the former mall site, like a farmer’s market happening this summer, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. “We want to bring people back to the site and build some excitement about what is going to happen in the future,” McFall said. For more information on OliverMcMillan, visit www.olivermcmillan.com. For more information on the development project, visit www.westminstercenter.us.
Next year Westminster High School will have a new leader. Last month Kiffany Kiewiet was selected as the new principal of WHS, taking the place of Michael Lynch, who will move to the position of Director of Secondary Education for District 50. Kiewiet’s previous position was as assistant principal and athletic director. “I’m so excited to work with the kids and teachers and be able to have an impact on their lives,” she said. “Interacting with the kids in the hallways is really important to me. It’s all about the kids, and I have to make sure to never lose sight of that.” Kiewiet started her career in education teaching Kiewiet math in an at-risk program at a high school in Wisconsin. She then moved to a position as the dean of students. That was her first experience working outside of the classroom building community among the school and partnering with local law enforcement to deal with gang issues. About five-and-half years ago, Kiewiet moved to Colorado and started as a community liaison at Manual High School in Denver. She soon moved into the position of assistant principal, before coming to Westminster High School two years ago as the assistant principal and athletic director. Kiewiet says she’s always made sure to have a lot of experiences within the education world, also working in the special education program and overseeing safety and security at WHS. “In my past careers I’ve always made sure I was learning new things,” Kiewiet said. “I’m a lifelong learner. I’m constantly asking questions because I want to make sure I have all the info I need before I make a decision.” One thing Kiewiet will be focusing on this fall is improving the overall attendance at the high school. She said attendance is slowly getting better, but she wants to make sure the school is providing the necessary services students need to make it to school, whether that be mental health services or drug and alcohol services. She also wants to ensure every classroom is engaging. “I want students to be in class and want to come back the next day and have good relationships with their teachers,” she said. “Engaging classrooms are so important for that to happen.” Overall Kiewiet is excited to connect with students in the role as principal and see students’ successes collectively and individually in a school she says is overwhelming accepting. “The kids here accept each other regardless of race, sexual preference and background,” she said. “I love that about our school. And it’s my job to make sure and do what’s best for every kid.”