 |
Prairie Gateway
What is the Prairie Gateway?
The Prairie Gateway is the 917 acres of former Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge land that the City purchased from the federal government in 2004. The site promises immense development potential to the immediate east of historic Commerce City. Its boundaries extend from 56th Avenue in the south to Highway 2 in the north, with a continuous western border along Quebec and eastern boundaries at Yosemite south of 64th Avenue, and Spruce Street in the north.
Prior to its purchase by the City in June for $4.7 million, the Prairie Gateway formed the "Western Tier" of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. It was made available for purchase when federal legislation converted the Arsenal to the "Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge." The City invested in the land's potential with a clear vision for its future use.
Plans to develop the area hinge on the conservation and enhancement of the prairie landscape combined with the deliberate creation of an outdoor enthusiast's playground. The City is intent on preserving its pristine 40 acres of native short grass prairie while simultaneously developing the larger area into a true 'gateway' that connects the Front Range community to the Wildlife Refuge with a spectacular view of the Rockies.
What will be done with the Prairie Gateway?
The City envisions the Prairie Gateway to attract varied visitors as an educational, recreational, and environmentally managed destination. Key partners in the area's development include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the area's master developer, Kroenke Sports Enterprises (KSE), with whom the City has entered into a public / private partnership.
The Prairie Gateway's initial framework master plan called for setting out approximately 217 acres for commercial use, 130 acres for public and utility right-of-way use, and 570 acres for a conservation zone. Within the latter, 442 acres are dedicated for open space and environmental education, leaving 128 acres for active recreation use.
Several specific land uses are being pursued in the Prairie Gateway, including the creation of an open-air professional soccer stadium for the Colorado Rapids, a Visitor Center for the Wildlife Refuge, an Environmental Learning Center, a Natural Lodge and Conference Center, a new Civic Center, and 600,000 square feet of commercial retail.
Professional Soccer Stadium
The soccer stadium, to be built by KSE, will be a natural grass, open-air venue with seating for 20,000 soccer spectators and crowds of up to 26,000 for multiple annual concerts and other events. Along with the stadium will be one or two Major League Soccer-caliber practice fields (one with permanent seating), and 10 to 20 public soccer fields for youth and adults. Surface parking will be available for 6,000 vehicles, and at build-out the complex should attract 800,000 annual visitors - 100,000 in youth soccer-related visitors alone.
The youth soccer component is of great importance to both the City and KSE, and will include athletic development programs and clinics. The City's Parks and Recreation Department will work directly with KSE to expand and enhance local sports' programs, though the venue will also be a draw for leagues and clubs from throughout the nation.
Visitor Center for the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been an active partner in maximizing the development of the Prairie Gateway and has long envisioned a Visitor and Environmental Learning Center within the site. The future home of the Center, which is set to open by early 2008 and anticipates 200,000 annual visitors, borders the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge just south of East 64th Avenue and capitalizes on beautiful, uninterrupted views. To the east will stretch the short-grass prairie of the Refuge, while to the west the full Rocky Mountain range rolls out majestically for visitors of all ages.
Environmental Learning Center
To complement the Visitor's Center, 15,000 square feet of facilities for environmental learning programs are also envisioned. Demand for such programs is high and will be utilized by School Districts throughout Adams County and beyond, undergraduate collegiate programs, graduate school researchers, youth and adult organizations, and more. A total of 44 organizations, ranging from the Audubon Society to the Urban Education Project, have verified their commitment to participate in such programs at the Refuge.
The Refuge has already been a site for research that has garnered immense grants for nationally significant environmental research, including studies on raptors, environmental restoration techniques, and management practices. All of these educational opportunities are set to expand with a designated and purpose-built learning center on the Prairie Gateway.
Natural Lodge and Conference Center
The Conference Center at the Natural Lodge is envisioned to serve a meeting and conferencing clientele interested in a natural, rural setting close to both DIA and the metropolitan region. The proposed center would initially be developed with approximately 50 rooms and conference facilities for up to 150 people. It would be ideal for those with associated business, research, educational, and recreational facilities in the Prairie Gateway Project. It may also attract business people looking for a location with character, nature-oriented tourists, and families who come to the Refuge itself.
Civic Center
The South Campus of the Prairie Gateway will also be home to the new Commerce City Civic Center. Construction of this new venue will better accommodate City staff and will be designed to enhance inter-department communication and service to an ever-blossoming City population. The 55,000 square foot building is slated to open in 2007.
Commercial and Retail Development
To accommodate these many destination points, the Prairie Gateway will have two distinct areas of commercial development. The South Campus, located near East 56th Avenue and Quebec and developed first, will house the stadium, soccer fields, Visitor & Environmental Learning Center, Conference Center, future civic center, and parking.
To augment these significant destination points, the South Campus will also host 49 acres of commercial retail. Large, destination retail will be actively pursued, with the goal of enhancing the area's identity as an active hub for outdoor enthusiasm. Later, as market demand dictates, the North Campus will be developed near Quebec and Highway 2 with 90 acres of mixed use, office, and civic space.