The City of Denver is calling on developers and investors to express their interest in a hefty $570 million funding opportunity aimed at rejuvenating the downtown area. Starting now, Registration of Interest (ROI) forms are available online as a preliminary step before the formal application window opens in the spring of 2025. As reported by the City and County of Denver, the forms intend to give city officials a clearer picture of potential projects that fall in line with the Denver Downtown Development Authority's vision.
To strictly better understand the types of projects that may see the light of day through this substantial funding, the city plans to schedule a series of public info sessions that will elucidate eligibility and other application requirements. According to the City and County of Denver, Chief Projects Officer Bill Mosher voiced his optimism about the impact of the ROI process on the city center. "We are encouraged by the ongoing excitement surrounding the Downtown Development Authority and its potential for our city center," Mosher stated. "The Registration of Interest is an important step for us to better understand the potential projects that could become a reality through this transformative funding opportunity."
The initiative marks another significant move by Mayor Mike Johnston and the Denver City Council, who have been putting in concerted efforts since May 2024 to bolster economic growth downtown. The efforts focus not only on new developments and adaptive reuse initiatives but also aim to boost livability, job creation, connective infrastructure, and cultural vibrancy. Council President Amanda P. Sandoval expressed pride in the city's proactive stance: "Throughout this extensive, collaborative process, we have heard overwhelming support. I’m proud of the way our city is rising to the moment, and I look forward to seeing the exciting and impactful project proposals to help us realize our vision of a vibrant downtown," Sandoval said, as per City and County of Denver.
Kourtny Garrett, President & CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership, also emphasized the anticipation that the ROI process has stirred among stakeholders in the community. "The renewal and expansion of the Downtown Denver Development Authority has already begun to generate significant energy downtown, and the opening of the registration of interest represents a significant step toward realizing an investment that will not only address current market vulnerabilities, but be a true force multiplier in attracting future investment to our center city," Garrett explained, as obtained by City and County of Denver. Emphasizing a straightforward approach for enrolment, data points such as project owner, location, and description are to be submitted through the ROI, estimated to take less than ten minutes to complete.
