DENVER — The Denver City Council on Monday approved two "catalytic investments" involving the proposed National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) stadium and the site of the former Park Hill Golf Course.
In March, plans were unveiled for a 14,500-seat NWSL stadium in the area of Broadway and Interstate 25, known as Santa Fe Yards. The stadium is slated to open in 2028.
The Denver mayor's office said an investment in the site could "generate up to $2.2 billion in economic impact and nearly $500 million in tax revenue over 30 years as well as support more than 1,100 jobs."
According to our partners at The Denver Post, the ownership group will fund the stadium in its entirety, but there was a proposed IGA between the NWSL ownership group, the City of Denver, and the Broadway Station Metropolitan District. The IGA would require an investment from the city of $70 million.
Of the $70 million, up to $50 million would be used to acquire the land for the proposed stadium, while the other $20 million would be used for off-site stadium improvements, including pedestrian sidewalks, trails to connect parks, parking, traffic, street lighting and more.
The city council voted 11-1 on Monday to approve the IGA. At-Large Councilmember Sarah Parady was the only "no" vote.
Denver
Broadway businesses support NWSL stadium as city council considers investing
Parady had expressed doubt about the stadium in previous city council meetings.
"We are facing the collapse of global financial markets," she said last month. "So I have to say, I don't believe that the stadium will ever be built, and I wish that I did. I don't think it's gonna get built."
On Monday night, Parady reiterated her concern, casting doubt on the reliability of the city's return-on-investment projections. She said the study does not account for the opportunity cost of spending the $70 million elsewhere on "existentially urgent competing priorities," like housing.
"I would love for the stadium to exist in the city," she said. "I would go to the games. I would go there with my daughter. I wish we had the kind of budget and economy where we could feel free to invest in things that build community and our fun and bring intangible benefits."
The city said funding will come from Denver’s capital improvement fund, which is used specifically for economic development projects, and "will not affect the city’s general operating budget."
Other council members who voted "yes" expressed hesitations about the project with respect to how tax-increment financing money (TIF) will be allocated. They said they want to keep a close eye on more detailed plans and the state of the economy before a more formal vote, which is expected to take place in November.
Councilmember Flor Alvidrez told Denver7 she understands the questions many of her colleagues had before Monday's meeting, but feels a lot of that had been ironed out.
"This potential new stadium is going to be so meaningful to my district because this is, right now, a big dirt lot," Alvidrez said. "This separates our neighborhoods. It harms connectivity, and we have been waiting for something to happen here for over a decade."
Luke Johnson, owner of Luke & Company Fine Pet Supply and president of the Broadway Merchants Association, said he's thrilled about the potential new stadium.
"Right now, it's a dusty plot of land, and it's a prime location, right? It's near the highway, it's near light rail, it's near it's walking distance to businesses. So there's a lot to be loved about that spot," Johnson said. "I know it'll bring consistent, increased foot traffic, and post-COVID, the restaurants and the bars, you know, they do okay, but foot traffic is down."
"Yeah, jobs, but also it's activation of the businesses and the residences that are south of I-25 and north of I-25, and it's continued foot traffic that will hopefully happen before and after sporting events, concerts, whatever they have there," Johnson added.
Mayor Mike Johnston called Monday a "historic day for Denver."
"It’s a total transformation of one of Denver's great neighborhoods," he told Denver7. "So for us, that's a win, win, win for land that we will own publicly, in perpetuity. So if there's ever a time where 50 years from now, this stadium moves, the city of Denver will get that property back."
- Hear more from Mayor Mike Johnston in the video player below
When asked about economic concerns and the $70 million price tag, Johnston defended the investment and the speedy timeline between the team's introduction in early 2025 to plans for a dedicated stadium.
"This is the way that you grow a city in difficult times, as you invest in things that create jobs and create economic activity," he said. "There was not time to wait four years and think about it. That's the pace at which the NWSL moves, and we wanted to be a part of that."
Denver's NWSL team is set to begin playing in 2026, starting at a temporary stadium in Centennial.
Denver
Denver will acquire former Park Hill Golf Course and turn it into a park
Also on Monday, the city council unanimously approved the acquisition of the former Park Hill Golf Course from Westside Investment Partners. In exchange, the company will receive an undeveloped parcel of land (145 acres) in Adams County.
In 2023, voters rejected a plan to allow housing and commercial development on the site. Then, earlier this year, the city announced its plan to acquire the land.
At 155 acres, the property marks the city's largest single purchase of private land for public use.
For those who live in the neighborhood, it's an opportunity to bring a piece of land back to life.
"I would like to see like a park, just an open area where the people of Park Hill can go and walk their dog, take their kids, and enjoy the open area," said Christopher Semien, who lives nearby. "After all, Park Hill is called Park Hill, so why not have a park?"
Seimen told Denver7 weeks ago he ultimately feels good about the direction the city is going in.
"I've always been hopeful that we're going to do something that's more conducive to the actual residents of Park Hill," he said.
In a statement, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston praised the city council's approval of the two projects.
“With our country facing such economic uncertainty, now is the time to grab the reins and seize the opportunity to invest in our future,” said Johnston. “There is nothing Denver cannot do when we work together - whether that’s building the Denver of tomorrow, demonstrating that women’s sports are as valuable as men’s, or giving Park Hill back to the people who fought so long and so hard for a day they thought might never come.”
Denver Parks and Recreation has opened a citywide survey to gather community input on how the land should be transformed.
Denver
City of Denver opens community survey to garner ideas for future Park Hill park
The Denver City Council was set to vote on an expansion of the National Western Complex, but that vote was postponed on Monday.
The expansion could bring a new equestrian center, hotel, and workforce housing development. City leaders hope this would allow for the ability to host year-round programming, lodging and residential opportunities.
According to the mayor's office, an economic impact study could contribute nearly $3 billion in gross development product for Colorado, over $2.1 billion in personal income, and support for more than 11,000 jobs over a 5-year span.
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