Key Takeaways
- The City of Lone Tree is reimagining its entertainment district with new businesses and developments.
- The Westbrook Entertainment and Sports District Vision Book was created in 2013 to guide the revitalization of the district.
- The city council has adopted an addendum to the vision book and amended the existing planned development to promote mixed-use development and public spaces.
- The 12-acre parcel will be split into three sub-planning areas, including multi-family residential, a public promenade and parks, and commercial land uses.
- The development will include a minimum of 4,400 square feet of net rentable ground-floor retail space and will prioritize pedestrian connectivity and community activity.
Introduction to the Westbrook Entertainment and Sports District
The Westbrook Entertainment and Sports District in Lone Tree, Colorado, has been undergoing significant changes in recent years. The city council has been working to revitalize the area, which is bounded by the Paradise Tavern, C-470, and the Tru by Hilton Denver South Park Meadows Hotel. The district is perhaps most notable for the vacant United Artists Theatres building and its associated pedestrian promenade. In an effort to bring new life to the area, the city council has been taking steps to reimagine the entertainment district and make it a hub of activity for the community.
History of the District’s Revitalization Efforts
In 2013, the Westbrook Entertainment and Sports District Vision Book was created to outline the community’s goals for revitalizing the district. The vision book aimed to enhance pedestrian connectivity, activate the pedestrianized promenade, and implement public park space, as well as encourage a mix of commercial activity. However, as the years passed, the city council recognized the need to update the vision book to address the challenges and hurdles that had arisen in the reinvestment of the district. As a result, the city council adopted an addendum to the original vision book, which echoed the intent of the original document and provided a revised framework for the district’s redevelopment.
Amendments to the Planned Development
Most recently, the city council unanimously approved an amendment to the existing Westbrook Entertainment and Sports District Planned Development. This amendment will result in the creation of a new planning area, which will be split into three sub-planning areas, each with its own tailored land use and development standards. The city’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan, Lone Tree Elevated, identifies the Entertainment District as part of the Urban Activity District, which promotes compact, mixed-use development with integrated residential land uses to support economic vitality. As a result, the planning area will include a mix of multi-family residential, public promenade and parks, and commercial land uses.
Development Standards and Plans
The development standards for the planning area are designed to promote a vibrant and engaging community. A portion of the planning area is designated as residential, which will permit multi-family dwellings with accessory uses that enhance neighborhood activity. The area must also provide a minimum of 4,400 square feet of net rentable ground-floor retail space, which can include cultural facilities, restaurants, and specialty grocers. Another portion of the planning area is designated as the promenade and parks planning area, which will serve as the central open-space framework for the development. This area will include a promenade, public park, and pocket park, as well as accessories such as community gardens, public art, and playgrounds.
Traffic Studies and Future Plans
As the development moves forward, the city staff has requested a traffic study to evaluate the potential impact of the new mixed-use residential component. However, it is likely that an additional traffic study will be conducted as the residential unit count and retail square footage are finalized. Site and preliminary plans for the development will come at a later date, and the city council will continue to work to bring the entertainment district to life. With its mix of residential, commercial, and public spaces, the Westbrook Entertainment and Sports District is poised to become a thriving hub of activity in the heart of Lone Tree.