Aurora – The city’s old downtown district hasn’t seen much commercial development for the past three decades. It shows in the boarded-up shops, congested streets and noisy traffic.
To most, East Colfax Avenue is merely a route to get from downtown Denver to the more thriving parts of Aurora.
But city leaders and residents saw new hope for the area Thursday afternoon, as they gathered for the opening of Florence Square, a $32.9 million residential and commercial center.
The 8-acre development is part of a mixed-use project aimed at revitalizing Aurora’s East Colfax Avenue arts district – a 16-block area extending from Clinton to Geneva streets.
The three-story Italian-style building has 17,000 square feet of retail space and includes loft apartments and art studios.
“This area seems to be a cornerstone of the city,” developer Troy Gladwell said. “People will pass by and say, ‘Wow, there’s a lot going on down there.”‘
Future businesses include a deli, clothing store and beauty salon, Gladwell said.
The development also is bringing a new sense of energy and creativity by attracting local artists, such as sculptor Lois Keener.
Keener, 82, was one of the first residents to move into one of the 110 affordable-housing units behind the Caldwell Building. Rents range from $450 to $850 a month.
“This place is just great,” Keener said while sculpting a bust of a Native American from clay. “It gives people an opportunity to learn about art and, people like me, to practice their art.”
Gladwell named the building after outgoing City Councilwoman Nadine Caldwell for helping him secure the land to build Florence Square and being a forceful advocate for local business owners.
“This has been a long process that couldn’t have been done without Caldwell’s leadership,” Gladwell said.
Florence Square is just the first phase of a project to revitalize the area.
“The revitalization has already had an impact on the neighborhood,” Caldwell said, noting that many businesses have remodeled their storefronts.
“When you come here, there’a a whole different feeling. It’s like a hometown feeling. It’s why I’ve never moved from the area,” she said.
Staff writer Daarel Burnette II can be reached at dburnette@denverpost.com or 303-820-1201.