Press Releases
October 26, 2010Cherry Creek North unveils “The New North” in time for holiday season Retail sales are up
Cherry Creek North unveils "The New North" in time for holiday season Retail sales are up in the District this year
The Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District (BID) has substantially completed the major phase of its first streetscape improvements in more than 20 years, "The New North," bringing the construction project in on deadline and under budget, just in time for the 2010 holiday season.
"The New North" project is the culmination of an effort that began in 2006 with an election by the District's constituents that approved selling $18.5 million in bonds for the specific purpose of upgrading the area's streetscape. The BID successfully sold the bonds in two sales, one in October 2008 and one in September 2009; the BID was the first in Colorado to sell its own bonds. The BID financed and managed the design and construction of "The New North" project. The improvements are designed to retain and attract visitors and users, to protect and preserve the District's character, and to keep the District strong in a competitive retail environment. Improvements include new landscaping to beautify the area and conserve water, new lighting for safety and energy conservation, better identity and way-finding signs, 20 new Art and Garden places and upgraded infrastructure.
"This project is the result of the enormous effort of countless people. We could not be prouder of the finished results and we are thrilled that the timing has worked out perfectly for this year's holiday season," said Cherry Creek North BID President and CEO Julie Bender. "Thanks to the vision, energy and expertise of our Board members, staff, construction and design team, everybody from our constituents, customers, neighbors and visitors will benefit for many years to come."
Design Workshop served as the project's architects, Nolte and Associates handled program and construction management and the Weitz Company served as the general contractor. The actual construction began in March 2010.
The completion of this phase is another milestone for the District during 2010. In addition to completing the construction, the District hosted the 20th anniversary of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, its own successful Food & Wine event, and the 40th Annual Sidewalk Sale. New sales tax data from the City of Denver shows that the District saw a 12 percent increase in collections during the first four months of 2010 over the same period in 2009. This rate of increase was triple that of the City of Denver's or the surrounding metro area.
In addition, the City of Denver is including the District in their transition from parking kiosks to Smart Meters. Steele Street has been converted and the rest of the District will have the new consumer-friendly technology by the end of the year.
The final phase of the streetscape project will be the renovation of Fillmore Plaza. The new hybrid design will enhance pedestrian, event and retail activity in the area. The BID facilitated a collaborative discussion of the many stakeholders (including BID constituents, the City of Denver, Councilwoman Jeanne Robb, and surrounding neighborhoods) to achieve the current hybrid design. The design was approved unanimously by the BID Board. It also received majority support from the registered neighborhood organizations such as Cherry Creek North, Cherry Creek East and Country Club Neighborhood Associations. Others that support the new design include experts within the City (Planning, Public Works, and Fire Department) and outside organizations (Transportation Solutions and the Cherry Creek Design Advisory Board). The new design is the result of countless hours of work that was paid for by the BID and without any City funds. Work on Fillmore Plaza will begin after the first of the year and is intended to be completed in time for the 2011 Cherry Creek Arts Festival.
