DENVER — The National Western Center (NWC) is looking ahead to the next phase of its expansion. NWC Authority CEO Brad Buchanan said it's considering the designs of an equestrian center, hotel and parking garage, but not without involving the community first.
"Nothing has progressed on this campus without community, without true community partnership," Buchanan said.
He said the equestrian center creates an all-year round opportunity for equestrian events, outside of just the National Western Stock Show in January. The hotel and parking garage will allow people to travel to north Denver and be able to stay there.
"Those are focused on, how do we create year-round, seven days a week, activation on this campus," Buchanan said. "Not just about having events here and leave. It’s about the 24/7 activation."
Buchanan said the campus's development includes a focus on the community because the neighboring area around the center, Globeville, Swansea and Elyria, have been historically underserved and sometimes left out.
"This is part of the community, part of their neighborhood," Buchanan said.
Those feelings are shared by authority board member Sandra Ruiz Parrilla, who lives in Globeville. She referenced the I-70 expansion project that left GES residents feeling silenced and left behind.
She said working with the NWC is different.
"It’s a way to be part of these developments, not just by living there, but being a part of the whole planning and everything," Ruiz Parrilla explained.
She said being on the board, she has been able to amplify the voices of her neighbors.
"This is going to be my third year," Ruiz Parrilla said. "And I’m excited to see those changes. To see that finally, they’re listening to the community, working with the community."
Still, she wants the community to know there are ways to stay involved outside of her.
"Sometimes the community doesn’t know about it," Ruiz Parrilla said. "We need to get more engagement."
The NWC authority is hosting the second of two meetings at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, to share progress of the campus project and also invite the public to be a part of the center's future.
"I cannot say, 'Oh yeah, we did it,' because we haven’t," Ruiz Parrilla said. "I think we’re going there. With these meetings, with this engagement that the National Western now is having with the community, I think that’s the step."
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