AURORA | Northwest Aurora is still on track to join the scene of places to see and be seen.
The developers behind Stanley Marketplace, a more than 100,000-square-foot mixed-use commercial center set to open in the Northwest Aurora this fall, told Aurora city council members that the project is progressing according to schedule at a study session on March 24.
The market has received over 75 letters of interest, but will only house between 35 and 40 businesses, according to Mark Shaker, one of the three partners at Flightline Ventures, the Denver-based firm financing the $25 million project.
In a presentation that included drone footage of the 140,000-square-foot former Stanley Aviation building located at 2501 Dallas St., Shaker said that Endorphin Fitness, Kindness Yoga, Tootsies Nail Shoppe, Logan House Coffee Company and a yet-to-be-named Kevin Taylor restaurant all have guaranteed space in the building. With full construction set to begin on the more than 50-year-old defunct aircraft parts factory on April 10, Stanley Marketplace will also boast more than 500 parking spots as well as an events center with standing room capacity for 2,000 people or 500 people seated for dinner, according to Shaker.
The current blueprint allots dozens of 300-800-sqaure-foot spaces for smaller tenants, several 4,000 – 5,000-sqaure-foot spots for restaurants and an 8,000-sqaure-foot area for a grocer.
In addition to plots within the Stanley building, Flightline also owns six acres of land directly across from the former aviation bastion on the west side of Westerly Creek. Shaker said the Cherry Creek Arts Festival is tentatively scheduled to host an Ocotberferst style event on that parcel in the fall, which would act as a soft opening for Stanley.
Since the initial approval of the project last year, Stanley Marketplace has earned comparisons to similar concepts across the country, such as San Francisco’s Ferry building, New York’s Chelsea Market and The Source in neighboring Denver.
“If we have a godfather to what Stanley will be, it will certainly be Faneuil Hall,” Tim Gonerka, retail specialist for the city, said at the study session in reference to the over 250-year-old Boston marketplace.
Shaker added that the Stanley team has been in talks with the Northeast Bike Commuter Association in an effort to expand the nexus of the Westerly Creek and Greenbelt trail systems located directly across from the property.
“We want to design this to encourage people to walk and bike here as well,” he said.
Staff from the Aurora Urban Renewal Authority are currently working on amending the city’s longstanding Westerly Creek Village Urban Renewal Plan to create a tax increment financing site just for the Stanley building, as a TIF designation at the site would support construction and open space improvements, according to city documents. In order to begin the TIF process, the building must first be declared blighted in accordance with the state’s 11 blight factors, which is expected to be discussed at a public hearing on April 13.
I sure don’t head out to that part of town, could Aurora have found a worse spot?
It sounds a lot like a typical Mexican marketplace. That is appropriate considering the demographics. As long as rents are very low it might work. That doesn’t fit the description yet, but if it survives its only a matter of time.
The demographics? Check Google maps. The marketplace is directly adjacent to Stapleton. Residents will flock to it as long as the restaurants and stores are interesting. It has the potential to do very well.
Agreed! I live in North Aurora and I plan on spending time there. I am all about supporting any business that will improve our community. Sure there may be problems, and I am not blind to the fact that there may be a slight criminal element. Bu to Joe who speaks of the shop lifting, because that is an issue (it is the same at the Target in Northfield) I doubt it would have benefited the businesses or the communities they serve to just NOT open a business. It will be dealt with and such is life in an area that does face some serious poverty issues. But this hopefuly will be a benefit to both communities. The demographics range from one end of the spectrum to the other. The potential is there!
I live three blocks away, in Aurora. Lived here for two years, and while it’s not North Country Club, it’s a pretty nice respectable neighborhood. I think you might ought to consider changing your moniker to “Pessimist” (-:
The demographics will change, as they have been, because of value, regardless of Stanley, and that’s a mixed blessing! The mix now is so alive and vibrant!
Metro Denverites used to be able to find “The 94th Aerosquadron” just fine – maybe with all the unique attributes (creek, surrounding view/openspace, eclectic market, good attitude/vibe), Flightline can make this a neat destination for the broader (more moneyed, it is true) area, also! I like their chances.
Since you’re so close by Mr. Neighbor, and since both Stanley and I have got your interest, will you do a traffic count? I’m thinking nobody’s even bothered yet! And while your at it, take a rough guess of how many of those passing cars and pedestrians are people deliberately shopping in that particular spot. Or take my word for it, and know that’s it’s 0 – none at all! You like the neighborhood… good for you. But it’s not a place where this project has any chance of success as advertised.
Enthusiast and gofastgo, you guys are crazy for thinking that. Yes that is a bad part of town but this is catering to the Denver clientele. They spend their money at a place very, very close to their home. Adams county and Aurora benefit from the taxes. It benefits Denver to have that section of Aurora cleaned up more as it increases the property values. It seems like a win/win situation for both Denver and Aurora. Then with Punch Bowl going in near by, I see it really booming. The fact that the property is in Aurora in a less that savory part of town is a small factor, when all you have to do is turn west and you see a beautiful community in Denver. I think it’s going to rub off and improve that part of Aurora. I’m excited!
“If we have a godfather to what Stanley will be, it will certainly be Faneuil Hall,” Tim Gonerka
Tim, or anyone else, have a look at both Stanley Market and Faneuil Hall on Google Earth Street View (and etc.). See how many differences you can count.
I don’t see how this area could be any different than Union Station or LoDo in terms of crime, and you can bet Aurora PD will take care of the Stanley Marketplace. As a resident of this area, I’m thrilled to see this development!
This project is clearly geared toward serving the residents of Stapleton, and not really the residents of Nothwest Aurora. I assume the developers intend to open the vehicle access from 26th Avenue on the north. Sounds like a terrific sales tax benefit for Aurora with limited impacts on traffic and parking in the adjacent Aurora neighborhood.
It will serve NW Aurora and NE Denver. The difference, the Stapleton residents will use credit cards and the Aurora folks will use EBT debit cards. However, the level of shoplifting of non-food items will probably come close to matching the experience of the Stapleton Walmart, which is one of the most heavily shoplifted stores in the chain nationwide.
The location is a big problem. As wonderful as the concept may or may not be, it won’t work where it’s at now. Mylesahead’s point is most valid… Extending 26th would be a big help, but even with that done the location is inferior. Very few people ever see this place, and that is a liability. I see some of you are looking forward to visiting. It will be your little secret hideaway.
I hope the NE Community Co Op opens up in the market to keep foot traffic steady. It would be beneficial for both entities to have a grocery type of option in the Stanley Marketplace. The two should do everything possible to make it work out!
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