COMMERCE CITY — Redeveloping the old Mile High Greyhound Park will be the focus of a series of six public meetings, the first to be held Sept. 8.
Built in 1946, the greyhound park held its first race in 1949 and was a fan favorite for decades. But as more sports venues opened and competition for everyone’s entertainment dollar expanded, the race track fell on hard times.
Racing at the park ended in 2008 and the city bought the 65-acre parcel near 62nd Avenue and Dahlia Street for about $3.3 million on Aug. 2.
The track’s location in the heart of Commerce City and is proximity to major highways makes it a prime spot for mixed-use development, said Mayor Paul Natale.
“The potential redevelopment of this property is one of the most significant opportunities to come to the city in years,” Natale said.
Officials see the property as a connection between surrounding residential and retail properties. They also promise to let residents have a hand in the the park’s redevelopment.
“We encourage citizens to be part of the process in determining what this property one day might look like,” Natale said.
Each public meeting will include an open house component where residents can learn more about the property and the redevelopment process. There will also be a formal presentation and small group discussions in which ideas for redevelopment will be shared, said city spokeswoman Michelle Halstead.
The meeting on Sept. 8 will be held at the Commerce City Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Drive.
Other meetings are scheduled for Sept. 13, Oct. 4, Oct. 15, Nov.8 and Nov. 16.
The city hopes to have a redevelopment plan for the park property in place by May 2012.
For more information on the meetings or to submit a commend on the redevelopment plan, visit .
