In September Denver Urban Review took a look at the upgrades to the Colorado Convention Center that have been presented to Denver voters in the 2C package that will be on the November 3rd ballot. The 2C package also includes upgrades to the National Western Center, which will be the focus of this article.
The National Western Center has been home to the annual National Western Stock Show which was first held in 1906. The 10,000 seat Denver Coliseum opened in 1952 and is the largest venue at the site. The 106-year-old Stadium Arena, a facility where livestock is featured includes 4,200 seats, is also on site. This complex is located at I-70 and Brighton Boulevard. The facility sits at the northeast end of Denver’s eclectic RiNo neighborhood where several residential, retail, and office projects are under construction.
The RTD commuter rail line that will provide service between Denver’s Union Station and Denver International Airport will have a stop at 38th and Blake Street. This stop will be located approximately six blocks from the National Western Center. Trains will run every 15 minutes during peak hours. Trains are currently being tested on this line that will open in 2016.
Rendering of National Western Center courtesy A Smart Deal for Denver
Rendering of National Western Center upgraded stock yards courtesy A Smart Deal for Denver
Some feel that the aging infrastructure and facilities at the National Western Center are in need of upgrades to retain and attract future events.
“This is truly a smart deal for Denver,” said Mayor Hancock. “The National Western Center plan is our opportunity to keep the stock show in Denver and make it thrive for another century. With the voters’ support, we’ll reinvent the National Western as a year-round destination for entertainment and tourism. We’ll partner with Colorado State University to establish Denver as a global center for agricultural research and agribusiness development and we’ll restore the historic neighborhoods that built the city we are all proud to call home.”
Rendering of National Western Center courtesy A Smart Deal for Denver
Rendering of National Western Center courtesy A Smart Deal for Denver
If the vote passes, this measure would extend a voter approved Denver hotel and car rental tax that passed in 1999 that is set to expire in 2023.
A Smart Deal for Denver, a group that advocates the approval of 2C states that the tax extension would raise the millions needed for upgrades at the National Western Complex in concert with funding from Colorado State University, the state of Colorado, and the Western Stock Show Association.
Rendering of National Western Center courtesy A Smart Deal for Denver
Rendering of National Western Center courtesy A Smart Deal for Denver
The proposed upgrades feature a partnership with CSU. The proposal includes a new state-of-the art equine science center, and new and upgraded facilities to house space for the study of livestock and agribusiness for students and staff of CSU. In August the CSU Board of Governors approved a resolution in support of of this Denver ballot measure.
“For 109 years CSU has had a wonderful partnership with the National Western Stock Show and we think the best is yet to come, said William E. Mosher, Chair of the CSU Board of Governors.
Editors note:
I want to hear what your thoughts are on the proposed upgrades. Would tax payer money spent on the National Western Center be a good investment for Denver? Let me know what you think in the comments section.
There are 6 comments
While the tax extension is a given, I don’t believe this is the investment worthy of that money. We are bursting at the seams from a transportation standpoint. This money could easily be used for Convention Center Expansion (which I think is the priority) and investment in giving better access for tourist/visitors/convention folks to get to these facilities. There still isn’t enough money to complete the Central Rail Extension from 38th/Blake to the Convention Center. Why isn’t this money being used for a Streetcar down Brighton or Downing/Welton or capacity expansion of the downtown LRT loop?
Investment in the Stock Show is important, I just don’t think it’s the best use of this money right now.
I think an extension of this tax is great way to invest in this area. The Stock Show is important for Denver, and upgrading this venue to compete with other famous Rodeo cities is important and will reap much greater returns than we spend on it. Especially in lieu of losing the Stock Show. Denver is a western city and this is part of it’s identity. The best part is that it will be visitors and tourists that will help pay for a large portion of this. What a great way to reinvest their money back in the City.
While I agree with Guy, that it is important to invest in other areas, I don’t believe this tax would have anything to do with that. First, I was under the impression that the Convention Center is already getting an expansion; and Second, the Transit tax pile is a totally different jurisdictional issue. Thats RTD, not Denver. So, even if you wanted to direct it there, it wouldn’t happen.
I am looking forward to making this area part of Denver’s front door and not just the left over that it has become.
This tax can have everything to do with that. First, the Convention Center is part of the this ballot initiative – to the tune of about $100 million (definitely needed). Second, the City of Denver can do whatever it wants with the lodging tax (within reason), including using it for transit, etc. RTD runs transit, but it does not preclude the City from helping to finance transit projects. FasTracks within Denver is pretty much built-out (save CRE) and RTD is on the hook for finishing what was planned in other cities. This means it is unlikely Denver will be seeing much transit investment in the foreseeable future. Why not seize this funding opportunity for improvements everyone (including tourists and visitors) can benefit from?
I’m no expert so you may be right. I guess, I just think that The National Western is more important than the other two projects. The Convention Center is still in pretty good shape and is relatively new. The NW was new in about 1915ish. And a light rail or street car down the rest of Welton….. Well, something will eventually happen there, I don’t see any real urgency. But, I guess, we don’t all have to agree.
Besides, they’re not asking how to spend the money, they’re asking if we want to spend it on NW or nothing. I’ll take the NW.
The pictures look beautiful. While I do not know the specifics of the tax measures proposed, I am not in favor of the continuing increase in taxes to fund public projects such as these. This reminds me of professional sports team’s threats to cities requiring a new stadium or else finding a new city that will fund the stadium. I do not know of a case in which these new stadiums have had net financial benefits to the city, and thus, the taxpayers. Just one humble Denver, CO tax-payer’s opinion.
Except this is keeping an existing tax – not a tax increase; And, the taxpayers are mostly tourists – not locals. It is on hotels and rental cars according to the article. Besides, if you never spend money on infrastructure, everything eventually the city looks like a wasteland. You’ve got to invest in the future to earn from the future. Sort of like buying stocks. You pay for the stock with the anticipation that over time, t will increase in value. And, so far, it has always increased in value in the long run.
The stadium issue is different. They are rich clients, like the Broncos, asking for a handout from the people, when they are the ones who get probably about 70% of the benefit. I’d like to see a cost analysis to see if any how much revenue is generated for the city by these venues. Since you seem to know about them, perhaps you could share that info with the rest of us.