Erick Roorda views the construction fence across from his store as a sign that things are starting to change along East Colfax Avenue.
Dotted with vacant hotels and failed businesses, and frequented by drug dealers, prostitutes and strip-club patrons, the surrounding neighborhood has fallen into decay. Soon a parcel that held vacant McDonald’s and Arby’s restaurants will be home to two new buildings, including a veterinary hospital.
“Finally, after all this time, the tables are turning, and we’re starting to see some progress being made,” Roorda said.
Six years ago he opened Mod Livin’ furnishings at 5327 E. Colfax Ave., between Grape and Glencoe streets, in a building that formerly housed a pharmacy.
“Everything on Broadway was maxed out in terms of commercial properties that were for sale,” he said. “We were looking for a spot we could buy, and we could see the potential here.”
So does Denver-based Drake Real Estate Services, which is redeveloping the site to meet Main Street zoning requirements even though they are not yet required.
Civic boosters consider the project a model for urban renewal to come, with design touches that foster a lively pedestrian environment alongside the street.
“I think it’s a catalyst for future form,” said Councilwoman Jeanne Robb. “It starts to set an example and gives people a real concrete image for what Main Street is.”
Among the tenants in the development will be Firehouse Animal Health Centers. The company recently acquired two animal hospitals on Colfax – Colfax East and All Creatures – that it plans to consolidate in the new building, said Firehouse chief executive Greg Waldbaum.
“We wanted to do something on Colfax and in the Park Hill area even before we purchased those two hospitals,” Waldbaum said. “We think it’s a very underserved part of town for vet hospitals.”
The 5,500-square-foot building Firehouse will occupy is modeled after its original animal hospital in an old firehouse at East Sixth Avenue and Ogden Street. Waldbaum’s goal is to be open by early fall.
In recent years, parts of Colfax have begun to revitalize, including blocks closest to downtown and those in downtown Aurora. The stretch east of Colorado Boulevard has continued to languish, even though it is sandwiched between the desirable Montclair and Park Hill neighborhoods.
During the past few months, homeless people made a camp near Mod Livin’ behind the vacant Arby’s. The imminent development has pushed them out.
Amid a storm of controversy from neighbors, Drake relocated the McDonald’s to a new site on the north side of Colfax in Mayfair Village.
It joined two pedestrian-oriented retail complexes that house quick-service restaurants such as Qdoba, retailers and a Starbucks.
Staff writer Margaret Jackson can be reached at 303-954-1473 or mjackson@denverpost.com.
