Editor's Note: 'Our Colorado' stories help natives and newcomers navigate the challenges related to our rapidly growing state, including real estate and development, homelessness, transportation and more. To comment on this or other 360 stories, email us at OurCO@TheDenverChannel.com. See more 'Our Colorado' stories here.
DENVER — The Rockies home opener is this Friday, come snow or shine.
The forecast doesn't look pretty, but that likely won't stop hordes of fans from converging on LoDo for the time-honored tradition.
LoDo experienced its first rebirth of sorts when Coors Field opened in the mid-1990's.
Now, a new development hopes to move LoDo beyond baseball.
“Right now, it's totally under-utilized,” said John Yonushewski, senior principal with Stantec. “So, what if it had a more park-like setting?”
He’s talking about the parking lot just west of the stadium.
It’s a new development Stantec is calling the West Lot.
Developers say they want it to mimic Rockefeller Center in New York, including ice-skating in the winter, a Rockies baseball Hall of Fame, restaurants, a giant LED screen in the courtyard, condos and a 180-room hotel.
"It's a whole city block downtown,” Yonushewski said. “Downtown has grown up around the lot in the 22 years that the stadium has been in place."
“For this area right across from the ballpark, I don't see why this wouldn't be a fantastic idea," said one Rockies fan.
The lot is more specifically located south and west of Coors Field in front of the Denver Chop House and Fado Irish Pub.
Neighboring businesses, like Jackson’s Sports Bar, are certainly on board.
"It'll bring a lot more to the table for downtown Denver, so we're excited for it," said Jackson’s assistant general manager Richard Paulson.
Yonushewski says Stantec Denver plans to break ground this fall.
“Our weather, our recreation – Denver is a place people want to be,” Yonushewski said.
