Big-name developers have submitted hundreds of pages of documents detailing the reasons they should be chosen as “master developer” for one of the most significant redevelopment projects in Denver’s history.
In filings released Monday, Cherokee Investment Partners revealed it has more than $1 billion available to fund the redevelopment of the city’s historic Union Station. Mile High Development said its partner, LNR Property Corp., has $1.8 billion in “available liquidity.” And Corporex Colorado LLC said its team includes the Denver urban design firm that developed the Union Station master plan.
But the biggest name of all – Donald Trump – submitted just two pages through a local lawyer, Dawn Bookhardt, that indicated his interest.
Trump International Hotel & Residences Denver is teaming with Bayrock Group and Barry Group Investments, formed by Odell Barry, a longtime real-estate consultant and former Denver Bronco.
Bookhardt’s letter states: “The primary goal of Trump/Bayrock is to ensure that the DUS project is successful; recognized as an internationally significant, signature development that substantially enhances greater Denver’s economic opportunities for local participants, for the city of Denver, the state of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region in general.”
In addition to the financial backing of LNR, Mile High has Goldman Sachs as a partner. Since 2000, the investment firm has managed nearly $1 billion in debt offerings in Colorado, including leading the $120 million bond issue for Denver International Airport in 2000.
The Corporex team includes Trammell Crow Residential and Civitas, an urban design firm that led the development of the master plan for Union Station. Civitas, headed by founding principal Mark Johnson, also was instrumental in drafting the Transit Mixed Use 30 (T-MU 30) zoning ordinance that is shaping transit-oriented development projects throughout Denver.
Also applying were Continuum Partners, developer of Lakewood’s Belmar project, jointly with East West Partners, the company that controls much of the land between Union Station and the Central Platte Valley. Boston-based transit expert DMJM Harris completes that team.
Others vying for the project include Denver Crossroads Developers LLC, a team that includes Greeley-based Phelps Development, Mosher Sullivan Partners of Denver and Federal Development of Washington, D.C.; and Stapleton developer Forest City Development.
The Union Station project, expected to cost $1 billion, will serve as a gateway to downtown and link the Lower Downtown and Central Platte neighborhoods.
Staff writer Margaret Jackson can be reached at mjackson@denverpost.com or 303-820- 1473.
