Voters in Greeley will decide Tuesday whether to repeal already-approved zoning for a massive entertainment district and housing development on the city’s western edge.
The proposed development spans 834 acres off U.S. Highway 34 and it includes the Catalyst entertainment district, featuring a new hockey arena for the Colorado Eagles, a Mattel-themed water park and hotel targeted for completion by 2028.
It also includes the Cascadia development, which is expected add more than 11,000 housing units.
A special election will determine the fate of Ballot Issue 1A. A “yes” vote would repeal the city-approved zoning and delay the project by about a year. A “no” vote would allow the development to move forward as planned.
Work has already begun, according to Bill Rigler, spokesman for the “No on 1A” campaign.
“For about the last six weeks, we’ve had 300 workers on site,” Rigler said. The proposal has generated extensive debate in the community. The group “Greeley Demands Better” gathered enough petition signatures to trigger the special election.
“It really is a David and Goliath story with us as a community saying we deserve a voice in how we’re going to grow as a community,” said Rhonda Solis, co-chair of Greeley Demands Better.
“The financing is the biggest concern,” she said, adding that the scale of the project raises questions. “A $1.1 billion project is too much to put on as residents when we see other people are going to benefit more from it.”
Supporters of the project dispute the characterization that taxpayers would shoulder the burden. Rigler said the development would be largely privately funded.
“This development is going to be more than 95% financed by private development, not taxpayers,” he said. He added that voting no in the special election means supporting the project. “No delay to the project, no delay to jobs, and no delay to the new entertainment options that Greeley will have.”
The debate has divided some downtown business owners. Kimberly Ponce, owner of Kimberly’s Event Center, said she believes the city needs more attractions.
“When we bring family from out of town it’s sad that I feel that sometimes we have to take them out of town,” Ponce said.
Others question whether the location on the western edge of the city will actually benefit downtown Greeley. One opponent said that because of the project’s proximity to neighboring communities, visitors may spend their money elsewhere.
“If you’re going to an event out there, you’re probably going to go to Johnstown, Windsor or one of those areas,” said Solis.
Beyond questions about business impact, residents weighed whether the development would become a significant revenue generator or a financial liability.
Greeley is growing, and the outcome of Tuesday’s vote could shape how that growth unfolds.
Voters may return their ballots at one of four drop box locations in town. Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Tuesday. According to the city of Greeley’s website, drop-off locations include:
Aims College Cornerstone Building – 5401 W. 20th St., Greeley
Greeley City Hall – 1000 10th St., Greeley
UNC University Center – 2101 10th Ave., Greeley
Weld County Election Office – 1250 H St., Greeley
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
