Commerce City is auctioning items from the former Greyhound Park race track as it prepares for demolition of the site.
The city council will vote on Aug. 6 on a $2.5 million loan to the city’s Urban Renewal Authority for the demolition.
If the city council approves the loan, asbestos abatement and demolition could start this fall.
“Based on the condition of the buildings, it was cost-prohibitive to renovate the structure for another use,” said city manager Brian McBroom, who is also the renewal authority’s director. “Creating a clean-slate was determined the most efficient approach to ensure investment on the property would occur sooner, rather than later.”
There are about 450 items up for auction including old chairs, neon beer signs, cash drawers and file cabinets. There are also tractors and riding lawn mowers for sale.
Historical items — including silk coats used on the dogs, and the mechanical rabbit, Rusty — have been set aside for preservation by the city’s historical society.
, through 2 p.m. Tuesday. Those interested in checking out items before bidding will be allowed to do so on Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the former race track, 6200 Dahlia St. in Commerce City.
Ninety percent of the proceeds from the auction will help the Urban Renewal Authority pay back a $4 million loan used to purchase the property from the private owners.
Dog races ran at the track from 1949 through 2008. The renewal authority bought the 65-acre site in August 2011 with plans to redevelop.
A developer has not yet been selected, but for the site.
The winning plan, named Carrera, included a mix of housing and commercial centers, focusing around a community college and technical school.
Commerce City officials said they would like to incorporate at least portions of that design into final plans.
A feasibility study should be completed by the end of this year to finalize design plans.
Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372, yrobles@denverpost.com or twitter.com/yeseniarobles
