Opponents of Regas Christou’s plans for an “upscale establishment” in Denver’s burgeoning “SoCo” area are hoping they still have a chance to block them.
Awilda Marquez, Denver’s manager of Excise and Licenses, on Dec. 23 recommended approval of Christou’s application for a dance and cabaret license for a new business called City Hall at 1144 Broadway.
After meeting with City Council President Jeanne Robb, Police Cmdr. Deborah Dilley and members of the Golden Triangle Association on Monday, Marquez agreed to extend until Saturday the time for filing objections. The original deadline was Monday.
Marquez said she extended the deadline because opponents didn’t have enough time to respond because of the holidays.
In addition, Sue Cobb, a spokeswoman for Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, confirmed that “there is an investigation as to possible irregularities” involving an application for a New Year’s event scheduled at the 1144 Broadway site.
Originally, Christou planned to allow an event there on behalf of a nonprofit, the Golden Triangle Museum District, but the event was canceled at the last moment.
Dilley said she was aware of the issues but could not comment because Excise and Licenses still is investigating.
A person who answered the phone at the Golden Triangle Museum District declined to comment.
Neither Christou nor his attorney, Adam Stapen, returned telephone calls seeking comment.
A separate group, the Golden Triangle Association, originally supported Christou’s efforts to open City Hall. The group is reassessing its stance after a Dec. 27 shooting that injured five people outside nearby Club Vinyl, which the Christou family owns.
The family owns and operates a half-dozen clubs in the area south of downtown, which has at times caused friction with nearby residents.
Police Chief Gerry Whitman forbids officers from working off-duty at clubs owned by the Christous.
The ban stems from a 1996 incident in which two off-duty officers shot and killed Jeff Truax outside one of those clubs. Regas Christou criticized police actions after the shooting.
Christou testified during a hearing that he envisions his City Hall venue as an “upscale establishment” catering to upscale baby boomers.
He insisted that it would not be a nightclub and said he also hopes to operate an amusement and special-interest park in an outside area.
