Aurora has longed for something shiny to call its own, an attraction that would set it apart from Denver and truly be a destination for tourists from throughout the region.
A hasn’t gotten past the starting flag. A proposed Science Fiction Land in the 1970s turned out to be nothing but fiction. The University of Colorado Hospital — while in Aurora — is viewed by most as being in Denver.
The proposed Gaylord resort hotel and convention center was the answer Aurora had been seeking for decades.
But with Thursday’s announcement that Marriott International is taking over Gaylord’s hotel brand and management of its hotels, there are questions about the future of the Gaylord project in Aurora.
And if it is scrapped — which some say is still more paranoia than reality — it would be a significant loss to the city and the entire region. Tourism money would be lost. Development around Denver International Airport would be grounded.
And Aurora would still be searching for an identity.
“No question about it. It’s a signature project,” said Aurora City Councilman Bob Broom. “I wouldn’t say it’s dead at this point. Sometimes, this is the way you negotiate.”
Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan said the announcement is just part of the process and that the city is still focused, as is Gaylord, on opening a facility in the city for the entire region to enjoy.
“I’m not going to call it an obstacle. I’m going to call it a challenge,” Hogan said. “I’ve had challenges before, just as big as this, and we’re going to overcome this.”
The news doesn’t come as a huge surprise to city officials, either. There have been reports in recent weeks that Gaylord had been looking for a new management structure, and that can be common in these types of ventures.
Wendy Mitchell, president of the Aurora Economic Development Council, has worked to lure Gaylord for more than two years and is confident in the project’s outcome. “If this group can’t get this deal done, nobody can,” she said.
But if things fall apart, it would be a big blow to development in and around DIA. Denver leaders have talked about an with commercial and business parks, said Kevin Hougen, president of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce.
“I believe it hurts the whole development of DIA,” Hougen said. “The whole area is ripe, in my mind, to become a Denver Tech Center.” Carlos Illescas, The Denver Post
