denver may see construction of riverside development

Planners in Denver have long been frustrated by what has been described as a sea of cement surrounding the city’s Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park.
A site adjacent to the increasingly popular neighborhoods of Highland and LoDo (Lower Downtown), the space has been used primarily for visitors to the park, which is known for its roller coaster and other amusement rides.

But now the Denver-based Revesco Properties, a real estate investment and management company, is proposing the creation of a mixed-use development called The River Mile, which will entirely transform that parking space.

The new development, to be bordered by I-25, Speer Boulevard, and the South Platte River, will see the building of affordable housing, and both retail and office space.

Revesco, which purchased the entire Elitch Gardens site three years ago, also wants to carve out three new parks at the site, and build two bike and pedestrian crossings across the South Platte River, along with a pedestrian tunnel under Speer Boulevard.

Revesco has said that the purpose behind the project is to not only find a new and varied uses to the current acres and acres of parking lot, but to build a development that will allow for a greater daily interaction with the South Platte River.

The project is scheduled to be the subject of several community meetings this spring, while also being submitted to the City of Denver’s Planning Board next month.

By Garry Boulard