Plans in works for land south of field

Early plans for the roughly 80-acre land development of mostly parking lots south of Empower Field at Mile High calls for the “transformational” creation of mixeduse space that will cater to surrounding neighborhoods as well as fans attending Broncos games.

The Metropolitan Football Stadium District took its first steps this week toward leasing the property to developers for potential parks, shopping, dining, residential buildings, and affordable housing, as approved in the master plan passed in June by the Denver City Council. On Wednesday, the district authorized a state filing to request the establishment of a nonprofit organization — the “Stadium Investment Corporation” — which consists of a fivemember board to oversee the daily operations toward land development south of the stadium.

What does it mean for Broncos Country? The potential for a nearby entertainment-style district to enhance the game-day experience — a nationwide trend among teams building new stadiums.

The Rams and Chargers will open the 2020 NFL season in SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., right beside the Hollywood Park entertainment district; a massive 298-acre multiuse space that will include a beer garden/ brewpub, a 21,000 squarefoot workout gym and a 12-screen movie theater complex.

Don’t expect such extravagance outside Mile High. But the development’s impact on Broncos games and non-football events at the stadium will get strong consideration in terms of the design. Plus, revenue generated by the land lease contracts will go directly into the upkeep at Empower Field as the district estimates it will cost $500-700 million to maintain it over the next 30 years.

MFSD chairman Ray Baker said on Wednesday to anticipate “a lot of heavy lifting” in the newly established nonprofit’s research and selection of land developers. In 2017, the district finalized an agreement with the Rockies to lease an outdoor parking lot for development directly west of Coors Field; 99 years for $125 million with payment completed in the first 30 years.

Any land developer south of Mile High will also assume a 99-year lease agreement, as required by city land code. It is one of several variables that put the district in zero rush making decisions for the best fit outside of the stadium.