Committee Co-Chair Christine O’Connor convened the meeting. The following items were discussed:

1. Brad Johnson of the Community Planning and Development Department and Eric Anderson of Jacobs Engineering updated the committee about the new 250-acre National Western Center. In 2015 the City developed a master plan following voter approval of a bond issue to finance construction. The building partners on the project are the National Western Stock Show, the City of Denver and Colorado State University. Other partners are Historic Denver and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Groundbreaking on the project occurred on April 25. Details can be found at nationalwesterncenter.com and include:

• • The vision is to have a 365-days-per-year operation which will be a global hub of food and water research and will bridge urban and rural communities with connections to the neighborhood
  • The rail line will be relocated
  • There will be a new livestock center
  • The 20 acres of stockyards will move to the north and will have movable pens to allow car shows, parking and other temporary uses
  • Three historic landmarks will be preserved – the Armour Company Administration Bldg; the Livestock Exchange Office and the old stadium arena
  • There will be a workforce program for underemployed residents of the area
  • Three parking studies have been done
  • The center will need 19,000 parking spaces, which will include several satellite parking areas
  • Transportation will also be helped by an upcoming nearby light-rail station
  • There may be a festival park area, but that is under study with the Parks Department

Design Standards and Guidelines and a Zoning Strategy Report are being developed, with special attention to the connections to the neighborhood and respect for the South Platte riverfront. There will likely be 4 new zone districts – Campus National Western Center 1, 2, 3 and 4.

2. Erica Rogers, a Policy Analyst for the Excise and Licenses Department described the department’s proposal to allow Liquor Common Consumption areas in Denver. The state legislature authorized such areas in 2013, which INC strongly opposed, because the statute authorized cities or counties to allow such areas which could allow consumption of alcohol in public areas after 2am. The department’s current proposal, which will need to be passed by City Council, includes:

• • The 2 am closing time will not be changed
  • Patrons over 21 years of age can purchase alcohol from existing liquor-licensed establishments and carry it and consume it between and outside or inside the establishments, but only within a designated “common consumption area”
  • Common consumption areas can only be sponsored by an “entertainment district” which has been approved by City Council and which must be sponsored by existing liquor-licensed establishments and which can show evidence of community support from one or more registered neighborhood organizations or business improvement districts
  • The Department of Excise and Licenses will have to approve each specific common consumption area after a hearing similar to a “needs and desires” hearing for a new liquor license, but may also consider whether any individual licenses within the area have been bad actors. Each proposed common consumption area will have to submit and have approved by the Department plans for insurance, noise and trash control and parking/transportation.
  • If passed, the ordinance will not take effect until 90 days after the Department has adopted implementing regulations