Success Stories

Stapleton, Colorado

Contact:
3090 Syracuse Street
Denver, CO 80207
tel: (303) 393-7700
fax: (303) 393-6805 
email: marketing@stapletoncorp.com 
http://www.stapletoncorp.com/

Description

Emphasizing the preservation of open space, the reduction of pollution and the conservation of natural resources, the Stapleton Development Corporation is constructing a community comprising a network of urban villages, employment centers and greenways on the 4,700-acre former site of Stapleton International Airport near Denver.

When the airport closed, local officials, developers, community members and environmentalists met to ask each other what the best use of the site would be.  They concluded that the ideal project would illustrate the concepts of sustainable development and environmental preservation while serving the economic and social needs of its residents.  From a series of discussions, the plan for the community of Stapleton was born.

Stapleton's land use planning and community design stress the creation of compact, mixed use communities that are walkable and transit-oriented in order to reduce automobile dependence and emissions and increase the efficiency of service delivery.  The development will also take advantage of existing technologies to conserve and reuse water, including capturing stormwater for irrigation.  Finally, the site is being designed to emphasize the use of bus and rail transit, bicycling and walking.

The plan also emphasizes establishing the site as a national center for the development of environmental technologies, products and services by creating an environmental technology incubator to support start-up firms.

Stapleton is also creating training and skill development programs designed to provide area residents with the work skills needed by employers operating on the Stapleton site, and developers are establishing programs that encourage the participation of youth and entrepreneurs, particularly from minority communities.
 

Program Highlights

Resource Conservation and Environmental Preservation

• More than one third of the site, or about 1,700 acres, will be reserved for parks, trails, recreation, nature education parks and open space areas.  Open spaces will be returned to their natural state.
• Advanced telecommunications will enable residents to "tele-commute" to work.
• An Urban Agricultural Area, with an equestrian center and community farm, is planned.
• Stapleton’s mixed use neighborhoods can accommodate an ultimate population of approximately 10,000 households. The average density of residential areas for the entire site is roughly 12 units per acre, sufficient to support the creation and maintenance of public transportation services.
• The Stapleton system will support the restoration of natural systems on site and establish and maintain extensive wildlife habitat.  The northern portion of the site will serve as range and feeding ground for birds of prey, prairie dog colonies and burrowing owls. The Sand Creek Corridor will provide habitat for deer, foxes and other animals.
• The development will use natural filtration and constructed wetlands to improve water quality and minimize the use of scarce water resources for irrigation.
• The 27-square-mile Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Area surrounds the northern-most area of Stapleton on three sides.  Formerly the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, it is being converted to a national wildlife refuge.

• The plan dedicates about half of the site to urban development, allowing for the creation of 10,000 new housing units in a variety of price ranges and the development of 17 - 20 million square feet of office, commercial and industrial space.
• The site is organized around identifiable neighborhood centers, such as parks and squares, to encourage neighbors to get to know each other.
• Employment and public transportation (including rail and bus) will be within walking distance of residents to discourage automobile use.
• The development will feature bike paths and walkways leading through parks and nature areas.
• The plan seeks to develop neighborhoods that can encourage and support diversity in age, income and ethnicity.

The Westerly Creek Neighborhood will be the first neighborhood at Stapleton to be developed.

• The neighborhood will be situated on approximately 500 acres.  The first of 2,200 to 2,700 residential units will be completed during 1999.
• The neighborhood will offer a full range of attached and detached residences and will feature parks, parkways, public transportation, schools, churches, libraries, a recreation center and a "walkable" neighborhood scale.
• The development will feature local employment centers to encourage residents to work and live in the same community.

Program Management/Partnerships: The Stapleton project is managed by the Stapleton Development Corporation (SDC) in partnership with the Denver Planning Board and the Denver City Council.  Additional financial and in-kind support have been provided to SDC by: Great Outdoors Colorado, the Boettcher and Gates families, the ARCO Foundation, the Berger Foundation, Denver Urban Resources Partnership, Colorado State Trails Program, State Division of Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the National Civilian Community Corps, Greater Stapleton Community Service Corps, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Commerce City: Mission Possible!, the Denver and Aurora Public Schools, Embracing Horses and the Green City Data Project in collaboration with the National Association of Black Environmentalists.

Budget: Please contact the program directly for the latest budget information.

Community Served: The residents of Stapleton and surrounding communities, who will benefit from the preservation of open space and natural habitat, as well as reduced energy and water consumption and reduced air pollution.

Measures of Success:

• The Stapleton Development Corporation has secured more than $3 million in non-city grants from private sector foundations and other entities for the preservation of open space and the development of recreational facilities; neighborhood youth employment and training and environmental, conservation and renewable energy programs.
• Work is underway now on the first phase of a hiking, cycling and equestrian trail along Sand Creek as it flows across the property.
• Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, in addition to providing budgetary support through the Department of Aviation, has committed  $1.2 million from the general fund over a three year period for the preservation of open space at Stapleton.

Back to Top