Discussions begin in La Alma Lincoln Park on Broncos’ proposed Burnham Yard stadium

Residents neighbors and neighborhood leaders of Denver s La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood packed Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center this week to discuss creating a Society Benefits Agreement tied to the Broncos prospective redevelopment of Burnham Yard The squad communicated in September that Burnham Yard is its preferred site for a new privately funded retractable-roof stadium and mixed-use district The Wednesday meeting was hosted by the La Alma Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association former at-large City Council member Robin Kniech and District Councilwoman Jamie Torres to inform the public about what the project expansion process could entail and how to get involved What we know is pretty limited revealed Torres in terms of what the exact footprint of the new stadium will be I will say nothing s been submitted in terms of a large enhancement review yet Nothing s been submitted in terms of rezoning So it s very much the beginning of this process of understanding what s going to be happening Proposed stadium location Broncos Burnham Yards region benefits agreement slideshow presentation from Oct Image provided by La Alma Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association The area will consist of millions of square feet of advance including restaurants retail outlets hotel and housing options office spaces entertainment venues and population spaces Torres mentioned enhancement will likely extend closer to the yard s freight railroad consolidated main line which is not moving and that likely everything north of th Avenue will be at play The Broncos lease at Empower Field runs through the season however it would be ideal for a new stadium to be ready for move-in by the summer of at the latest They have three five-year extensions they can exercise on the current stadium if they re not ready to move yet Torres noted If they re trying to be out in order to be in a new stadium for the season that means they re likely current ground in Torres along with LALPNA representatives commented that they are still in the early stages of the process at this time focused on informing the society and building a coalition of representatives from community-based organizations to create a CBA A CBA is a legally binding contract primarily negotiated and signed by a coalition of society organizations neighborhood representatives and the developer building the project These agreements are created with the region and typically include socio-economic benefits like affordable housing local hiring environmental protections small business endorsement and community space improvements The Santa Fe Arts District in the La Alma Lincoln Park Neighborhood in Denver on Thursday June Photo by Hyoung Chang The Denver Post All CBAs are different but they are not new For example Torres noted it took months to complete the Ball Arena agreement In Kroenke Sports and Entertainment signed an extensive CBA with a committee of local leaders that provided the society with a variety of benefits such as an early learning center funding for youth activities enhanced pedestrian and bike connections nearby and a million society financing fund The committee also negotiated for of all connected housing units to be affordable CBAs give society members a voice in shaping how large projects impact their neighborhoods in exchange for the locality s backing for the project Because CBAs are written contracts they can be enforced to ensure promises are kept However CBAs also hold several locality commitments like providing letters of backing and agreeing not to sue to stop the project The scope and quantity of benefits secured are primarily determined by neighborhood patronage the coalition can build as well as what the developer is willing to commit to Several attendees at the meeting voiced concerns about the project including environmental impacts what aid small businesses can get preservation efforts and even the composition of the coalition itself There s a lot of power to sit at the table and speak for the district So it has to be authentic It has to be groups that have selected contact with the group and they have to be able to sign a contract explained former at-large City Council member Robin Kniech who is now at the University of Colorado Denver However Kniech declared a CBA does not replace region input to a council member the mayor s office or the planning board As part of this process the City and County of Denver has started a Small Area Plan for the Burnham Yard site to review land use including zoning foreseen residential expansion building heights street grid changes and what land use will look like over the next years The plan is estimated to be completed by the end of Official progress processes vs CBA Broncos Burnham Yards region benefits agreement slideshow presentation from Oct Image provided by La Alma Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association In addition to the Small Area Plan to build a new stadium and mixed-use district the Broncos must go through a large advance review process a rezoning application and a evolution agreement which has to be approved by the Denver City Council Related Articles Broncos owner Greg Penner talks early stages of Burnham Yard stadium design What could Broncos stadium district at Burnham Yard look like KSE s Hollywood Park is one roadmap What are PSLs and could they factor into Broncos plans for Burnham Yard stadium Denver Water drops bid to acquire properties near Burnham Yard What stands between Broncos and a stadium at Burnham Yard A region deal council votes and land cleanup Kniech revealed the group can become involved in the process by joining LALPNA attending their meetings or visiting laalmalincolnpark org broncos-stadium-move to stay updated A virtual follow-up meeting covering the same content discussed on Wednesday will be held via Zoom at p m Nov Get more business news by signing up for our On The Block newsletter