BROOMFIELD — The sign was the perfect epitaph for one neighborhood bar caught in the middle of a major community facelift:
“WalMart One, Roosters Zero”
In reality, it wasn’t much of a fight as soon as Wal-Mart entered the ring to champion Broomfield’s 12-year quest to redevelop a run-down section north of West 120th Avenue near Sheridan Boulevard.
The retail giant pledged to put a 196,000-square-foot Supercenter near Rooster’s and generate nearly $70 million in sales tax for the city and county for 15 years.
The Wal-Mart will replace the 60-year-old Barber’s Poultry Inc., and construction is slated to begin in late summer. Meanwhile, a companion development — Broomfield Corners — is planned for the land where Rooster’s rests. After building begins this spring, a bank, at least two fast-food eateries and other retail outlets will replace the Rooster’s building, a mainstay in Broomfield for more than 50 years.
The developer of Broomfield Corners, who owns the Rooster’s parcel — told the bar owner, Rick Roos, last month that he didn’t want the establishment to remain. So Roos hosted one last party Dec. 12, and just after Christmas, crews began cleaning out the place.
Roos admits he didn’t have much ammunition on his side to battle the changes. All he could boast was a history of good times — where on “Divorce Night” you could meet your next ex — and a place where stand-up comics could ply their trade.
“The city of Broomfield did not want a business like this to be the gateway to the city,” Roos said. “But for a lot of people — cops, construction guys, just working people — this was the place to be.
“But anymore, a mom-and-pop bar just doesn’t stand much of a chance.”
Broomfield resident and patron Kelly Boucneau said: “It was a great place to hang out and listen to comedy. Hearts are breaking all over the city.”
And, Boucneau added, “The last thing Broomfield needs is another big-box store.”
Plenty of residents, who came out in force in 2006 to block the Wal-Mart proposal, agreed, voicing a variety of objections, including Wal-Mart’s rapid expansion.
But an agreement was made in June after the company made concessions as well as agreed to pay the Barber family $10.5 million for the property. The Barbers will also be given another $4.85 million — all from Wal-Mart tax revenues — to help in relocation costs, according to the city.
Broomfield asked other giant retailers to match Wal-Mart’s bid for the needed redevelopment land, but no one stepped forward, said City Councilman Walt Spader.
“This was extremely important for the north side of 120th and the long-range financial health of the city,” Spader said. “Wal-Mart was the only one to step up to revitalize this area.”
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
