The Gathering Storm

I started this blog in April of 2011, with the intention of documenting life in the newly coined "Downtown Lakewood." As the economic crisis of 2008 faded, Belmar saw a flurry of new construction, new stores, new restaurants. Many of my hopes as a new homeowner in the area were realized, from the opening of grocery stores and cafes, to public art, festivals and concerts.

The last few years have been harder, as Lakewood became polarized between pro and anti-growth factions. Important tax measures that would have improved schools and roads have failed. Across the country, the retail apocalypse has hit cities hard, and Lakewood has been no exception. Belmar has done better than most shopping districts because it serves residents and because a walkable downtown is a social experience that can't be replaced by an Amazon order. Still, the change of ownership from Continuum to Starwood has resulted in an absentee owner who doesn't quite get Belmar, and a disturbing number of empty storefronts have recently appeared.

The sudden rise of a worldwide pandemic is now going to test Lakewood like nothing in its history. Will businesses that provide face-to-face services be able to survive with their customers sheltering in place? Will residents be able to pay their bills if their place of employment closes? Will the city's homeless population be left to fend for themselves?

And once the pandemic finally passes, how long will it take to restart the economy? What will happen to city and state tax revenue in Colorado, where the TABOR amendment has dangerously straightjacketed finances after every previous recession?

I guess we're going to find out.

Belmar Medical Plaza Planned for 7955 W. Alameda Ave

Centum Health Properties plans to build a three story medical center on the vacant lot at 7955 W. Alameda Ave. This is the undeveloped space at the corner of Alameda and S. Allison Parkway, next to the recently completed Village at Belmar senior living development.

The building's height will help with the creation of a classic urban street wall along that stretch of Alameda. Having a continuous street wall helps to define the Alameda and Wadsworth intersection as a downtown, mixed-use area. At the same time, street walls cut down on the number of hazardous driveways faced by pedestrians who are moving through an urban area. Two story quadplexes at the Village at Belmar behind this new building will then act as step downs to the single story ranch homes found in the neighborhoods north of Alameda.

To me, all of this is a sign that Lakewood's revamped zoning code is working as intended. We're seeing development channeled to our new urban core and our existing neighborhoods protected.

At the same time, some people have asked me why we're seeing so much health care related development. My answer is that Colorado is a graying state, and health care is going to be a growth industry for quite some time. The buildings that are going up in downtown Lakewood, however, are quality, well-designed buildings. Many of them will be a part of our city for a long time, and their design and use of quality materials makes it likely these buildings will be used for different purposes 25 or 50 years from now. That's smart and sustainable.

Centura Health to Open Family Medical Center at Wads & Alameda

 Centura Health is opening a family medical center above the Walgreens on the north east corner of Wadsworth and Alameda.

Healthcare has been a big driver of the economic recovery here in Colorado, and Lakewood is no exception. The biggest impact has been from the new St. Anthony's Hospital, located on land that was formerly part of the Denver Federal Center at Simms and Alameda, but downtown Lakewood has seen its share of growth too. Kaiser Permanente has plans to expand their Alameda and Carr St. location, while HealthOne will run the emergency medical center currently under construction at 260 S. Wadsworth (directly north of the downtown Lakewood Walgreens).

Why the boom? I've heard there are two factors. The first is the transition of the baby boom generation to retirement, medicare, and greater health care needs. The second is the huge expansion of medical care made possible by the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare). More people with health insurance means more business for heath care providers, and that has meant more economic development for Lakewood.