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Commissioners celebrate legislation for Brownfield

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Contributed by: Adams County on 4/2/2008

With Governor Ritter's signature on SB08-158, sponsored by Sen. Lois Tochtrop and Rep. Mary Hodge, counties now have the ability to participate in an urban renewal authority with their neighboring cities to clean up and redevelop unsightly industrial and commercial properties located along the boundaries of unincorporated portions of county land and adjoining municipalities.

Through this newly created state law, a greater level of cooperation between cities and counties has been formed to redevelop blighted properties while enhancing economic opportunities. Financial mechanisms, known as tax increment financing, can now be used by counties in this narrow application to allow for neglected and often abandoned properties to be put back into productive use with a strong economic return for both jurisdictions.

"Adams County raised this issue during the legislative priority setting meetings last summer at Colorado Counties, Inc.," said Adams County Board of Commissioners Chairman Alice J. Nichol. "We are thrilled with the statewide support we received for this bill, the leadership of our Adams County legislators, Sen. Tochtrop and Rep. Hodge, and the incredible support we received from our municipal partners. This bill truly represents the best in local government because it provides a mechanism for local governments to solve common problems."

Adams County can now initiate the process of negotiating an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Denver Urban Renewal Authority for the cleanup of the defunct ASARCO smelter property located at 51st Ave. and Washington St. Sixty of the 77 acres are in Adams County. This is the last large undeveloped property in a very desirable location in the southwest corner of the county.

Brownfield Partners, LLC and Opus Northwest, LLC of Denver, two members of Adams County Economic Development, are partnering on this important project. They plan to build one million square feet of industrial buildings, including a large warehouse and distribution space for national users, and medium-to-small industrial space for regional and local firms. The project is expected to generate about 2,500 jobs.

This is another milestone for environmental cleanup and economic development strongly championed by the Adams County Board of Commissioners, Colorado Counties, Inc. and Adams County Economic Development.

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John Eisel

Denver , COLORADO

John Eisel has posted 2865 stories and 12 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. John Eisel's average story rating is 4.39.

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