Denver has planned some big renovations, if their voters pass the plan in the November election. The two projects being proposed are the expansion of the Colorado Convention Center and a new National Western Center. The two projects would total $700 million, which would come from extending current taxes. The extra taxes would expire in 2023, if not needed to extend.
The plans for the convention center focus around a study by the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) that was released in 2014 and has input from more than 120 meeting professionals. The expansion is mentioned in Referred Question 2C, or “A Smart Deal for Denver.” That section provided all the information, asking for up to 85,000 square feet of new meeting and ballroom space including: 120,000 square feet of pre-function and service space that would feature a 50,000-square-foot outdoor space on the roof, and a view of the Rocky Mountains and city skyline.
Choosing to work with the original architects, Denver has hired MIG and Fentress Architects to create the plans and rendering of the expansion.
“We’re very fortunate that in 1999, the architects and the City had the foresight to reinforce the roof during the expansion of the center to allow for vertical growth,” said Rachel Benedick, vice president of sales and services at VISIT DENVER.
All of the plans are for expanding upwards so authorities assure that there should be little impact on the other businesses in the building.
“We are very pleased with the preliminary designs, which are directly in line with the findings of the SAG study. They really capture the Rocky Mountain spirit and take advantage of Denver’s fantastic views and year-round mild weather,” said Richard Scharf, president & CEO of VISIT DENVER.
Besides the expansion, the convention center would additionally be renovated. Technology will be improved to move the center into a “best-in-class” facility, including WiFi and video streaming capacity. Along with technology, the plan asks for improved networking spaces throughout the building.
Voters were also asked to weigh in on the funding of a new National Western Center. This is the home of Denver’s famous National Western Stock Show, and the new center will be available year-round for events. It will also have an agricultural research center for both full-time researchers and Colorado State University. Finally, there will be a new transit center, which will provide additional park and outdoor event space.
