Changes along Lakewood’s main drag celebrated

West Colfax is excitedly embracing the change happening along the corridor, and the City of Lakewood called together some of the area’s top minds for its first Embrace the Fax transit-oriented development forum on May 27.

The event was a chance to speak to community leaders, developers and residents about all the work going on along West Colfax, and how the future is being built by these team efforts.

“Colfax is the soul of Lakewood, and it’s coming roaring back,” said Mayor Bob Murphy. “This is the result of deliberate planning and three factors: strategic investments, city investments and timing.”

The day kicked off with presentations from various community leaders, like city manager Kathy Hodgson, deputy city manager and economic development director Nanette Neelan, and manager of the comprehensive planning and research division Roger Wadnal. They highlighted the efforts and investments of the city to lay the groundwork for the expansion of Colfax and how partnerships are helping everyone.

“We couldn’t do this without partnerships, and we’re always looking for new opportunities to work with people,” Neelan said. “Lakewood prides itself on being open for businesses, and we’re still learning about the community and what they want for the area.”

Creatives like 40 West Arts chair Bill Marino, director of public policy and creative districts with Colorado Creative Industries Margaret Hunt and senior vice president for consulting and strategic partnerships for Artspace Wendy Holmes spoke about the impact of the corridor’s focus on the arts, and how this focus is giving new life to the area.

“I promise we’ll do something special and spectacular here because you have people who are special and spectacular,” Holmes said. “I think Lakewood has the opportunity here to redefine suburban life.”

Finally, developers Charles Woolley and Jeff Temple gave updates on their new housing projects that will be springing up along the W Rail line, Zephyr Line Apartments and West Line Flats.

The highlight came in the late morning, when all the aforementioned speakers were joined by Carrie Mesch, from Mesch Commercial Real Estate, and Mike Jacoby, from Broad Street Ventures, to hold a roundtable discussion and to take questions about the corridor. Questions ranged from what investors are looking for in communities to how resident involvement helps the process.

Some of the most enlightening answers came in response to a question about the biggest challenge to development in the area.

“Outside perception is a big one. This is one of the best places we’ve ever worked with but it can be difficult to get big companies focused on Lakewood,” Jacoby said.

“It takes risk takers and pioneers, as well as community support,” Mesch added. “People have to believe, and I really believe we’re at a tipping point.”

For more information visit www.embracethefax.org.

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