The giant Topgolf entertainment complex that had been and then may have new life after City Council this week made legal changes that could smooth the way forward for the 65,000-square-foot facility.
But whether the Dallas-based company is still interested in locating at the southeast corner of Interstate 25 and 136th Avenue, , is not clear.
In an email sent to The Denver Post on Wednesday, company spokeswoman Morgan Wallace said “we are evaluating all of our options across the area and will continue to work on finding the best location possible for a Topgolf venue.”
The facility, which would boast a three-story, 102-bay driving range as well as a restaurant, bar and rooftop terrace, neighborhood almost as soon as it was announced. They raised concerns about bright lighting, after-hours noise and the hazard Topgolf’s large ball-catching nets pose to birds.
The company told the city it would bring 475 jobs to Thornton.
After the and offered a $3.75 million incentive package to Topgolf to make Thornton its second Colorado location — the company’s — a resident being eyed by Topgolf isn’t appropriately zoned for the project.
An Adams County Topgolf its permits, a decision that put the project on indefinite hold.
That’s what brought Thornton leaders to a table Tuesday for a special meeting during which amendments were made to the city’s comprehensive plan and its zoning code that will now permit “commercial amusement — outside uses” in the city’s business park zoning district.
Councilman Joshua Zygielbaum said it’s only fair that private property owners be given the opportunity to develop their land holdings. Topgolf does not own the 14-acre parcel near Rolling Hills and Thorncreek golf course where it had proposed its project.
“If we didn’t allow the flexibility for this property owner to develop by expanding the ability of the options of uses, then we’re effectively cutting off their ability to develop this land,” Zygielbaum said. “I don’t think that’s fair.”
Several council members said Tuesday’s code changes weren’t made to specifically benefit Topgolf but were part of a larger effort to update the city’s code so that it makes more sense.
Lotte Radoor, the neighbor who filed the suit against Thornton, said she was weighing her options in terms of whether to challenge the city again over this week’s zoning changes.