Despite the economic slowdown, airport construction projects are continuing in the Mountain States region, where population and air traffic are increasing. Federal and state grants are driving improvement and expansion projects, and competition for the jobs is fierce, which is helping lower costs. Following is a snapshot of the some of the projects in the region. Denver International Airport The most activity going on right now at any one airport is at Denver International Airport, where construction of a 22.8-mile commuter rail line to downtown recently began and a financing plan is in the works for a south terminal redevelopment
Interlocken Business Park in Broomfield, Colo., continues to lure companies and jobs away from other cities and states. Photo Courtesy Of The Weitz Co. Photo Courtesy Of Gensler The 11-story Central Park Tower, the tallest structure along the U.S. 36 corridor, provides headquarters-style amenities in a multi-tenant setting. Related Links: Central Park Tower Enhances Broomfield and Interlocken Corridor The 900-plus-acre site in the Denver area’s northwest quadrant has the region’s lowest percentage of empty offices—and that vacancy rate is expected to drop further, according to Jessica Erickson, vice president of the Broomfield Economic Development Corp. As of September, the vacancy
The new science facility at the Auraria campus in downtown Denver upgrades the original mid-1970s building and provides additional space necessary to bring the offices and classrooms for three colleges under one roof. “This was a project of necessity,” says Jill Jennings Golich, Auraria campus planner. “The old building did not have enough room for our current enrollment and could not accommodate the new equipment necessary for the teaching and research laboratories.” The new facility at Speer Boulevard and Lawrence Street was made possible by a partnership between the University of Colorado at Denver, Metropolitan State College of Denver and
Related Links: All-Season Luxury 14th Street Makeover After years of planning, construction of the long-awaited 14th Street capital improvements will begin in the fall. The plan to enhance the corridor has been in the works since 2005, when Denver (city and county), the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District and the Downtown Denver Partnership began discussions with area property owners. High-profile construction and renovation projects, including the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences, the Spire Building and the Hilton Garden Inn, were a major catalyst for the streetscaping initiative, says John Desmond, vice president of urban planning and environment for the Downtown
Southern Wyoming and its construction business are finally feeling the full effects of the depressed national economy. While the rest of the United States fell into recession in recent years, Wyoming remained largely insulated from the cycle, thanks to boom years of energy production. Royalty payments from natural gas extraction padded the state budget with massive surpluses that kept local economies afloat, allowing capital construction projects to flourish at the state and local levels. But the reserve is running dry, as the natural gas industries and coal-mining operations slow down. “The overall outlook is not good. We’re seeing a continuation
A master plan developed by Vail Resorts Development Co. in conjunction with the town of Breckenridge calls for a complete redevelopment of the base area at Peak 8. One Ski Hill Place is the first of five buildings in a new village, which will feature 282 residential units, 4,000 sq ft of retail and restaurant space and 50,000 sq ft of skier-services. Photo: Terry Shapiro One Ski Hill Place is the first of five buildings to be built as part of Breckenridge’s Peak 8 redevelopment. Related Links: A Grand Lodge A Real Blast “Breckenridge is one of the most visited
What was once an asphalt parking lot for the Peak 8 base area of Breckenridge Ski Resort is now a premier residential property. Nearly two years after construction crews began excavating the site and shoring up the hillside, One Ski Hill Place is preparing to open its doors, and owners of the luxury ski-in, ski-out units will be given authorization to take occupancy. Photo: Terry Shapiro Photo: Terry Shapiro The lodge’s design includes steep roofs, large overhangs, heavy stone base and timber elements throughout, drawing inspiration from the grand mountain lodges found in national parks. Related Links: Vail Resorts’ Master
The voter-approved Denver Bond Program is expected to pour another $200 million in construction and improvement projects into the Denver area in 2010. Related Links: Top Colorado & Wyoming Newsmakers of 2009 DHA Wins Stimulus Grants Heading West No Help Wanted Colorado Transportation Stimulus Snapshot FASTER Bill to Boost CDOT Funds Mergers & Acquisitions New Businesses, New Offices Moves Over the past two years, the program has funded more than $100 million in city improvement projects, with another $200 million expected for 2010. Projects include improvements to roads, libraries, parks, recreation centers, child-care sites, hospitals, public safety, city buildings and
Even in the midst of economic downtown, Aurora-based Merrick & Co. continues to post impressive gains and maintain its focus on growth. “Decisions and strategies that we put into play five or more years ago are paying off now and keeping our business going strong,” says Ralph Christie, Merrick’s president and chief executive officer. Related Links: Top Design Firms Top Architectural Firm of 2009 Top Engineering Firm of 2009 Foreshadowing tougher economic times at the start of the decade, the company set in motion a plan to diversify its core business and focus on six emerging markets—geospatial technologies, civil engineering,
The International Code Council has partnered with the American Institute of Architects and the American Society for Testing and Materials to develop an International Green Construction Code that will guide the design and construction of green commercial projects. The initiative—titled “Safe and Sustainable by the Book”—aims to develop a regulatory framework for green construction that is consistent and coordinated with ICC codes and standards currently adopted nationwide as the basis of building codes. The first draft of the proposed regulations will be presented for public comment in 2010, with publication for adoption expected in 2012. Since the launch of the