Enhancing the Rapids experience for all of Commerce City

There’s renewed talk of developing a long-awaited entertainment district around Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, home of the Colorado Rapids. Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, the Rapids’ owner (owner of the Nuggets and Avs, as well), is talking to Commerce City Hall about plans for restarting the project.

The district would offer retail, offices, restaurants and bars. So, it’s exciting to think it finally could get back on track. But as Commerce City long-timers can point out, the idea has been sidelined for years. In fact, it originally was pitched as part of the overall vision for the stadium when it opened back in 2007. So — we’ll see.

But here’s what we know so far, as reported in The Denver Gazette last weekend:

…Kroenke renewed efforts this summer to develop around DSGP and presented the vision to Commerce City at a May 1 city council meeting in a public presentation. …Both sides further discussed the topic in an executive session during a June 12 city council meeting and plan to meet again in the future…

KSE’s plan involves a complicated deal that includes a multi-party land swap. You can read the details in The Gazette’s report, which you’ll also find posted below in our “Commerce City in the News” section.

A city spokesman and a member of City Council are quoted, and they appear wary of some of the KSE proposal’s detail. But they also expressed a desire to keep the talks going. Which suggests there’s hope the project at some point could happen.

But what Commerce City voters need to focus on right now is making sure our elected leaders look out for all the city’s interests moving forward on DSGP-area development plans. That means helping the project advance while also looking out for taxpayers.

That’s also why it’s important to pay attention to the fall ballot in upcoming elections — to ensure we have the right elected leaders who are up to the task.