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. .... - . Lowry (formerly Lowry Air Force Base) Denver, Colorado fo 1991, after 54 years of operation, the l.866-acre Lowry Air Force Base found itself on the BRAe closure list. A memher of the Lowry Redevelopment Authority characterized the unique challenge: "Most real estate developments don't start out wrth 1,000 vacant buildings, 28 miles of obsolete streets, three runways, and a 12-mile-long chain-link fence. Not to mention environmental issues and no money.....xxvi But that was the starting point for the redevelopment of this base, just 15 minutes from downtown Denver. Realizing that 7,000 jobs and $295 million in annual spending were leav- ing the area, the mayors of Denver and Aurora, the two communities with jurisdiction over Lowry, forged an unprecedented alliance to charge ahead with redevelopment. As soon as closure was finalized, the mayors established the Lowry Economic Recovery Project (lERPt a 4O-member advisory committee charged with reuse planning. Between 1991 and 1993, LERP embarked on an intensive 18-month plan. ning process. Representatives from the community served on commlttees focused on transportation, housing, and economic development issues. There was no shortage of community participation during the thousands of hours of public meetings. Many nearby residents from the historic neighborhoods surrounding the base had never been behind the fence and on the base. They were eager to see redevelopment that would add character, amenities. and value to the existing neighborhoods. At the same time, LERP ensured that its congressional delegation was able to intervene on its behalf with any federal property issues. LERP was able to raise money by hiring a property management group to 'ease 800 homes on the base. In the longer term, this funding served as co!lateral for larger infra- structure loans. "I chose to live in Lowry because it allowed me to live in a community that has retail and recreational seNices within walking distance of residential. " Ken Gordon. Colorado State Senatorxxvao When the Air Force officially dosed its operations in September 1994, LERP already had completed the reuse plan. According to the LRA, Lowry was the first base ever to have a reuse plan in place before it closed. Many have attributed the successful redevelopment to this early planning. The plan called for 4,500 homes, 2 million square feet of commercial space, schools. and 800 acres of parks and recreational amenities. In particutar, the plan called for de- velopment guided by several principles: . To blend with the surrounding neighborh()(Xjs and build upon their strengths; TIle conditions at Lowry Air Force Base before redevelopment. 111111 35