Suppa has developed several properties in Hawaii, where he sayssuch ceremonies are common practice by native residents. And, it'sequally appropriate for the Waterside Lofts site, located atWewatta Street and the banks of Cherry Creek near the Pepsi Centerarena. The ceremony includes smoking a peace pipe filled with sage,dancing and singing.

Until the late 1850s, the area had been home to tribes of plainIndians--Arapahoe, Cheyenne and Lakota--who had been lured by anabundance of chokecherries, renowned for healing powers as well asbeing a food source. The Native American heritage is the bedrock ofthe area, where streets bear names such as Arapahoe, Champa, Wazeeand Wewatta or "clear water" in the Lakota language.

Suppa says 50% of the units already have been sold. "We are theonly new development with a creek-side location," says Paul Stann,construction manager for the project, slated for a spring 2002opening. The property is accessible to Cherry Creek's walking andbiking trails and within easy walking distance of Coors Field,Larimer Square, Colorado's Ocean Journey, Elitch Gardens, thePerforming Arts Center, Pepsi Center and 16th Street Mall.