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Exciting development activity is underway in the Rooney Valley. Generally defined, it lies between the Hogback, Green Mountain Park, the Green Mountain and Red Rock Centre subdivisions, and Bear Creek Lake Park. Recent developments include the residential community of Solterra, site of the 2008 Parade of Homes which drew more than 100,000 people, and the Alameda Parkway/C-470 interchange.
Along with development come understandable concerns, such as cost and open space. "People like me are concerned about new development paying for itself," comments Mike Partheymuller, Vice President-Colorado of Carma Developers. As the Solterra representative to the Rooney Valley Association, he helps implements the Rooney Valley Master Plan created by Jefferson County, the City of Lakewood and the Town of Morrison.
Funding for the Alameda Parkway/C-470 interchange, for example, was provided by Jefferson County, Lakewood and Carma. These entities will be repaid through metro district taxes and property taxes. "The interchange won't cost anybody outside of the region," Partheymuller adds.
Currently, 90,000 vehicles go by the interchange every day on C-470. "Retail development is very interested in that traffic count," he says. The development plan for the interchange includes retail, office and light industrial uses, with the largest concentration of retail on the southeast corner. It will be similar in size to Denver West Village.
The interchange has significantly improved access to C-470 from the east. "That's a big help," Partheymuller says. "It makes it easier for emergency response vehicles, and it eases the flow of traffic." In addition, it provides easy access to Dinosaur Ridge.
Regarding open space, the Rooney Valley Master Plan requires parks and open space in every development plan. In addition, closure of the road over Dinosaur Ridge enhances preservation and protection of the dinosaur tracks and other fossils. Visitors can explore the ridge by foot, bike or the visitor center's van.
Implementation of the entire Rooney Valley master plan will take about 20 years. At full build out, development is expected to create 1,400 additional residences, two million square feet of office space, and 15,000 to 20,000 new jobs.
"It's fulfilling and exciting to see it moving forward and creating jobs, " concludes Partheymuller, who has 30 years of experience in engineering, surveying and land development. "There are lots of benefits that I think people will appreciate when they have retail facilities and jobs closer to their homes."
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Local Vacation — Dining out at 240 Union and Café Prague
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Published in the West Chamber Resource Guide 2009 Best of Business Directory & Magazine, an annual publication of The West Chamber Serving Jefferson County.
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