DENVER — Mayor Michael B. Hancock and partners Colorado State University and Western Stock Show Association broke ground Friday, on phases 1 and 2 of the National Western Center. The ceremony marked the two year anniversary of Denver voter approved Ballot Measure 2C, which provides funding for the future National Western Center.
Mayor Hancock spoke to students of Bruce Randolph School prior to operating an excavator to begin clearing the site. Partners and members of the National Western Center Citizens Advisory Committee then swung sledge hammers at the building.
The National Western Center represents a transformation of the National Western Complex site into a year-round global destination for agricultural heritage and innovation. The Mayor’s Office of the National Western Center is responsible for the design build of Phase 1 and 2 of the master plan. Partners of this project include the City and County of Denver, Colorado State University, Western Stock Show Association, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and History Colorado.
Integrated Demolition RFQ was awarded to Saunders Construction.
Campus Placemaking RFQ was awarded to MIG Inc.
Amy Parsons, executive vice chancellor of Colorado State University, gave opening remarks at the ceremony about the future of the building. Parsons addressed CSU’s long-term commitment to the reimagined Center, as well as the communities surrounding the project through partnerships with community schools, non-profits and businesses, such as with Bruce Randolph School.
CSU will have three buildings within the 250-acre campus that will focus on research and education programming in food systems, water, environment, energy and health. The CSU Center will further the mission of global impact at the National Western Center by providing K-12 education, interactive learning opportunities for families, and flexible conference and exhibit space.
In addition, the CSU Center will provide space for a variety of activities including arts performances, business incubation, and laboratory research.
Photos courtesy of Liz Gibbons.
