A Littleton developer wants to tear down Hangar 2 at the former Lowry Air Force Base and develop condominiums on the 6-acre site.
International Risk Group LLC, or IRG, which handled the environmental cleanup at Lowry, has proposed demolishing Hangar 2 and replacing it with about 300 condominiums and 6,000 square feet of retail space.
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum is located in the adjacent Hangar 1. The aircraft displayed outside the Wings museum would be incorporated into the development’s central promenade.
“We’re looking at possible projects that could be master-planned so they strengthen the assets of Hangar 1 and help facilitate the restoration and renovation of Hangar 1,” said architect Brad Buchanan of Buchanan Yonushewski Group LLC, who is working with IRG on the project. “If Hangar 2 is not able to be redeveloped, the risk we run long term is losing Hangar 1 because it’s so expensive to maintain and bring up to basic life-safety codes, let alone create an economically viable solution.”
Proceeds from the sale of the Hangar 2 property, on the northeast corner of Academy Boulevard and Rampart Way, would help finance nearly $7 million in renovations needed by the museum, said Greg Anderson, its president and chief executive. Improvements to the museum include reroofing; removing the dropped ceiling to restore its original 90-foot height; painting the floor; adding exhibits, visitor amenities and a mezzanine; and installing a veterans memorial.
“We have confidence that the lion’s share of those upgrades will be achievable through this development,” Anderson said.
But because the hangar is a contributing structure in a landmark district, its demolition first must have the blessing of the Landmark Preservation Commission. The project also needs approval from the Lowry Redevelopment Authority, or LRA.
Built in the 1930s, Hangar 2 has been used for storage since the base closed in 1994. No improvements have been made to the building during the ensuing 13 years.
“The question facing this community is whether we need to let one hangar go in order to support the other one and maintain the viability of Wings Over the Rockies, which maintains the heritage of the community,” said Hilarie Portell, spokeswoman for the LRA. “There are no other prospects for this site. It’s been very blighted for the last decade.”
A public meeting on the proposal is scheduled for 7 tonight at Wings Over the Rockies, 7711 Academy Blvd.
Staff writer Margaret Jackson can be reached at 303-954-1473 or mjackson@denverpost.com.
