The 519-room Westin hotel and conference center project under construction at Denver International Airport in November 2014. (Brent Lewis, Denver Post file)
After more than a year of near-radio silence — while private mediation is underway — a couple developments have hit in Denver Mayor Michael Hancock’s attempts to kick-start an “aerotropolis” of commerce and industry near Denver International Airport.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.
As The Denver Post reported Monday, Hancock recently suggested in his most extensive comments in months that . They’ve been negotiating what sort of development to allow on DIA property.
Another bit of news, this time affecting the wider aerotropolis plans in communities near DIA, is that the Denver City Council for land-use and transportation planning, a big next step.
Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan.
Finally, on Monday, Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan — reacting to The Post’s story about Hancock’s optimism about the DIA development mediation — put out a statement that threw a little cold water on the likelihood of a resolution soon.
Well, don’t say “cold water.”
After heaping plenty of caution on Hancock’s comments about progress in the talks, Hogan added a caveat: “I have no interest in throwing cold water on the process, or the progress. However, I know that much, much more needs to be done before anyone in the area can become excited about a fair conclusion that benefits both sides.”
Hogan also wrote: “While I believe Mayor Hancock meant no harm to the process with his enthusiasm, the fact is discussions have a long way to go before there is any reason for a celebration.”
And: “Despite calls for a new Aerotropolis, the area around DIA is already a well-planned and developing part of the metro region. Investors in projects already there know whatap occurred, and have a right to smart plans complimenting their efforts.
“For Denver to share in future development in that area requires discussions and negotiations that result in mutual agreement, and realistic expectations, not just optimism.”
For months, the participants in the Airport City mediation have said nothing about their progress, citing a confidentiality agreement. But Hancock seems to have opened the floodgates, even if none of the recent comments have addressed the substance of the conversation, and negotiation, that’s been going on behind closed doors.
