DENVER–Kelly Leid, executive director of the North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative (NDCC), shared the vision of the NDCC this week at RealShare Greater Denver held at the Magnolia Hotel ballroom. Leid kicked off the morning session with a keynote address, “Transforming Denver's Northern Gateway into the Mile High City.”

NDCC was founded by Mayor Michael B. Hancock in January 2013 as part of a larger comprehensive envisioning effort to energize a nearly 23-mile corridor linking Denver Union Station to Denver International Airport along Interstate 70 and RTD's east line. The four objectives of NDCC included strategically aligning the planning and implementation of the six major projects; supporting internal and external teams; creating new partnerships to execute the vision; and establishing a community engagement and communications effort to advance project efforts. Essentially, it took the regional cooperation of civic leaders to make the bold moves set forth.

One of the largest urban redevelopment efforts in the nation, the six major projects were planned to align with one bold vision: to reconstruct 3,000 acres of Denver's northern gateway entrance into the Mile High City, between Interstate 25 and Colorado Boulevard.

Leid tells GlobeSt.com: “Transformational place-making is required to energize neglected neighborhoods and Denver's historic industrial edge that will have a local / quality of life impact AND a dynamic global reach.”

The master project includes 3,000 acres located at the convergence of Interstate 25 and Interstate 70, minutes from downtown. The individual projects are the Interstate 70 east redevelopment, which is a billion-dollar-plus project to modernize a 50-year-old viaduct that links Denver to Denver International Airport; reclaiming more than a mile of the South Platte River; three transit lines and four stations; the Globeville, Elyria and Swansea neighborhood plans; and Brighton Boulevard which will provide key access into downtown Denver from Interstate 70.

Specifically, in 2015, Denver is investing $26 million into Boulevard improvements. Brighton Boulevard is three miles in length and has been organized into four character areas, with the objective of converting a historical back door into a new city front door.

Leid also discussed plans for the National Western Center and Denver Coliseum, transforming the former from an antiquated but historic site into a dynamic 270-acre year-round campus, to the tune of $856 million. This effort will nearly double the annual economic impact to more than $200 million, driving 1 million new visitors annually and adding 100 new events. In total, the campus is expected to generate $5.9 billion in net new spending during the next 30 years.

In closing, Leid said, “Celebrate the past but recognize it can be part of our future.”

Instant Insights /

History Opens the Door to Denver's Future

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