Printed with soy ink. 2 Spotlight on Schools

StapletonHistory 3 Meet

Your Local Merchants 4

A publ i ca t ion of Fores t C i ty S tap le ton, Inc .

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation hasawarded a local non-profit organization a$200,000 grant to demonstrate that the

design of walkable neighbor-hoods such as Stapleton’scan lead to more active andhealthier lifestyles.

The Friends of the Cen-ter for Human Nutrition, aColorado based nonprofitorganization, said the grantwill fund The Active LivingPartnership at Stapleton(ALPS), an initiative that is part of Active Living byDesign, a $16.5 millionnational program theRobert Wood JohnsonFoundation established tocreate, enhance and pro-mote environments thatmake it safe and convenientfor people to be more phys-ically active. Based in Princeton, N.J., the RobertWood Johnson Foundation is the nation’s largestphilanthropic organization devoted exclusively tohealth and health care.

“We expect that Active Living by Design

D E N V E R , C O L O R A D O J A N / F E B 2 0 0 4

community projects will demonstrate to commu-nities across the country how feasible it is to usethe design of parks, trails, and walking paths to

create and promote betterhealth,” said KatherineKraft, senior program offi-cer for the Robert WoodJohnson Foundation. “Thesesmall changes promise toimprove the health of ourchildren for years to come.”

Helen Thompson, chairof the ALPS project, saidthe Stapleton program isone of 25 partnershipsacross the country selectedto make active living a pri-ority. With the five-yeargrant, the ALPS project willfocus on transportation,land use and street design.Other key areas will includeexpanding active living in

schools and increasing recreational opportunities.The study will provide an opportunity for metroDenver leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors to observe how community design,

land use, transportation, architec-ture, trails and parks can inf lu-

ence healthier lifestyles.Recent studies have suggested that poor com-

munity design and a lack of options for trans-portation may contribute to obesity and inactivity.National statistics show that nearly one in fourAmerican adults is sedentary, and the number ofoverweight children has doubled since 1980.According to the Colorado Department of PublicHealth and Environment (CDPHE), over 50 per-cent of Colorado residents are overweight andnearly 15 percent are obese. Studies have shownthat more people will exercise regularly if physicalactivity can be designed into everyday activities,and if their community is pedestrian-friendly andprovides convenient and safe walkable destinationsand recreational opportunities.

Current ALPS partners include University ofColorado Health Sciences Center’s (UCHSC) Sta-pleton Center for Healthy Living, the UCHSC’sCenter for Human Nutrition, Forest City Staple-ton, the City and County of Denver, the StapletonFoundation for Sustainable Urban Communities,the Livable Communities Support Center, FeetFirst, Denver Healthy People 2010 and the GreaterPark Hill Neighborhood Alliance, as well as morethan a dozen other organizations from the non-profit, public and private sectors.

More information about Active Living by Designcan be found at www.activelivingbydesign.org.

The East 29th Avenue Town Center is the heart of the first pedestrian-friendly neighborhood at Stapleton.

Stapleton is Focus of Active Living Study

Stapleton resident Anna Noble tries to keepup with her two children Aiden 4, (left front)and Ella 3, and their friend Nik Geoly, 4.

PRESORTED STANDARDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDDENVER, CO

PERMIT #3735

Denver Public Schools Share Stapleton’s Spotlight

by John Lehigh

For several years now, andwith increasing frequen-cy, Stapleton has been

drawing visitors from acrossthe nation and around theworld who are coming toDenver to learn more aboutone of the premier new urbancommunities in the UnitedStates. Those visitors haveincluded eight members of theBritish Parliament, a delega-tion of business leaders fromMoscow and regional gover-nors from the Czech Republic. Other visitshave come from a planning official from theBeijing government, the mayor of Belfast, Ire-land and civic leaders from Mongolia. Whileeach group or individual has specific intereststhat have drawn them to Stapleton, they allinvariably ask about the quality of our schools.

When the discussions with our nationaland international visitors turn to the qualityof schools at Stapleton and in the surround-ing neighborhoods, we are quick to cite For-est City’s philosophy that a great urbanneighborhood deserves great urban schools.We describe the innovative progress that is being made by The Denver Public Schools(DPS) with the support of an impressivearray of community partners involved withthe redevelopment of Stapleton. Those part-ners include The Stapleton Foundation, TheStapleton Development Corporation and its

Citizens Advisory Board, TheCity of Denver, and citizensfrom throughout our civicand business sectors who areworking with Forest City tomake Stapleton and the sur-rounding neighborhoods a community that places a priority on the quality of its schools.

We are proud to share Stapleton’s spotlight with aschool system in which DPSSuperintendent Jerry Wartgowand the Board of Education

are delivering new public schools with innova-tive designs and programs. For example:• Smaller schools: Stapleton’s neighborhood

public schools are generally designed for500 students or less. A growing body ofresearch suggests that, all else being equal,small schools have better attendance andacademic achievement, lower dropout rates,less vandalism and less violence than large,regional schools.

• Smaller sites: Stapleton’s school sites of 10 to 12 acres fit nicely into our compact, walkable, urban neighborhoods. The shareduse of parks and athletic fields providesample space for team sports.

• “Greener” schools: Stapleton’s schools are designed to conserve energy and otherresources. Much is being achieved by “daylighting” — the capture of natural light tosupplement electric lighting. “Day lighting”

EDITOR: Tom GleasonDESIGN & LAYOUT: FinePrint

PHOTOGRAPHY: Steve LarsonEMAIL: info@stapletondenver.com

www.StapletonDenver.com

PUBLISHED AND FUNDED BY:Forest City Stapleton, Inc.7351 E. 29th AvenueDenver, CO 80238

John Lehigh, chief operating officer, Forest City Stapleton

The Board ofTrustees of theDenver Schoolof Science andTechnologyhas selectedWilliam “Bill”Kurtz to be itsfirst Head ofSchool. TheDenver PublicSchools char-ter high schoolwill open atStapleton with its first class in the fall of thisyear. When fully enrolled, the school is pro-jected to have 425 students.

Mr. Kurtz currently serves as the Principalof Link Community School, an independentmiddle school serving 125 African-Americanseventh and eighth graders located in Newark’sCentral Ward. Before joining Link in August1998, he served as an Assistant Principal at

Holy Cross School, a grammar school serving540 children enrolled in pre-kindergartenthrough eighth grade in the Southeast Bronx.Prior to his work at Holy Cross, he worked inthe healthcare investment banking group andthe corporate finance advisory division for The Chase Manhattan Bank for four years.

A graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy in1987, Mr. Kurtz was awarded the Wyzanski

Prize for leadership inthe community andthe Francke Art Prizefor Architecture. He graduated MagnaCum Laude fromPrinceton Universitywith a B.A. in politi-cal science andreceived the seniorprize for the bestpolitical science thesis. In 1998, heearned an M.A.

from Columbia University’s Teachers College ineducational administration and leadership.

Mr. Kurtz was among more than one hundredand twenty applicants for the position at Science& Tech. The search team reviewing applicationsincluded members of the school’s board of direc-tors and representatives from the Public Educa-tion & Business Coalition, the Rose Foundationand the Small Schools Initiative.

also improves the learning environment. Arecent California study analyzing 21,000test scores concluded that students in class-rooms with the most natural light scored20 percent higher on math tests and 26percent higher on reading tests. Stapleton’s school program is based on

The Stapleton Education Master Plan, whichwas produced by the Stapleton Foundation incooperation with Denver Public Schools(DPS) and many educators and communityleaders. The Stapleton Education Master Planpromotes “Lifelong Learning” – based in parton the concept that public schools should becommunity centers offering everything fromearly childhood education to vocational train-ing to classes for seniors.

Last August, these efforts began to bearfruit with the opening of Stapleton’s firstschool, the $10.7 million Westerly CreekCampus at 8800 East 28th Avenue. Designedby Anderson Mason Dale Architects, WesterlyCreek is a new type of DPS facility. The80,000 square-foot building houses twoschools. The 350-student DPS Westerly CreekElementary School, featuring a “core knowl-edge” curriculum, shares the building withthe 220-student Odyssey Charter School, apublic school with a curriculum based onprinciples of the Outward Bound program.Each school has its own wing but shares acentral library, gym and cafeteria.

In the coming months and years, morepublic schools will debut at Stapleton:

In the fall of this year, (continued on page 8)

Kurtz to Head Denver School ofScience and Technology at Stapleton

Courtesy of New Schools Development Corp

By Greg Vilkin

With the 9th anniversaryof the closing of Sta-pleton International

Airport fast approaching in February, it seems appropriate to look back and give credit tothose who had the vision, theenergy and the tenacity to createthe redevelopment plan for Denver’s former airport.

First and foremost, creditshould go to the citizens andtheir elected officials in Denver,Aurora and Commerce City forrecognizing the tremendous potential to trans-form Stapleton into a series of urban neighbor-hoods. Stapleton is bringing housing afford-able to a range of incomes, jobs, retail and1,100 acres of new parks and open space to the metropolitan area. Many other communi-ties across the nation would not have attempt-ed such a bold and ambitious plan.

A grassroots effort known as “StapletonTomorrow” began the planning for the redevel-opment of the former airport in 1989 after thedecision was made to build Denver Interna-tional Airport and close Stapleton. A group ofcivic leaders brought together by Denver busi-nessman Sam Gary formed the non-profit Sta-pleton Redevelopment Foundation to tap theenergy and vision of thousands of citizensthroughout our community who later attendedmore than one hundred public meetings toplan for the transformation of Stapleton. TheStapleton Redevelopment Foundation raisedmore than $4 million in private sector funds tocreate the Stapleton Development Plan (oftenreferred to as “The Green Book”) and beginthe planning process to transform Stapletoninto an extension of the traditional urbanneighborhoods surrounding the former airport.Today, The Stapleton Redevelopment Founda-tion is known as The Stapleton Foundation forSustainable Urban Communities.

The citizens’ plan for the redevelopment ofStapleton was formally adopted by The DenverCity Council as an amendment to Denver’s

Comprehensive Plan in 1995.Among the recommendationsof “The Green Book” was theestablishment of a non-profitentity to be created by TheCity and County of Denver tomanage the assets at Stapletonuntil the land could be sold atfull market value to a developerwho had the experience andthe commitment to deliver on the vision for Stapleton. That non-profit entity is The Stapleton Development Corporation (SDC), which is

governed by a board of directors comprised ofbusiness and civic leaders (see box at left) whoconvene monthly in meetings open to the publicon the fourth Thursday morning of each month.An active Citizens Advisory Board also meetsmonthly as it and its subcommittees work withSDC to ensure that the redevelopment of Staple-ton continues to be shaped by the principles ofThe Stapleton Development Plan. Forest City ishonored to be the master developer SDC chose to carry out that plan.

Future editions of The Front Porch will carrycolumns by representatives of The StapletonFoundation and The Stapleton Development Corporation as they discuss issues of importanceto the successful redevelopment of Stapleton. Forest City has established an excellent workingrelationship with The Stapleton Foundation, The Stapleton Development Corporation and the community since beginning our developmentactivities in May of 2001. We look forward tobuilding on that relationship over the next twentyyears as we develop the former airport to its fullpotential and achieve the vision of the citizenswho created The Stapleton Development Plan.

Greg Vilkin is the president of Forest City Stapleton, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Forest City Enterprises. For more infor-mation, visit www.stapletondenver.com orwww.fceinc.com. For information about the meetings of The Stapleton DevelopmentCorporation and its Citizens Advisory Board,call (303) 393-7700.

Greg Vilkin, president of Forest City Stapleton, Inc.

Community Built the Foundation for the

Redevelopment of Stapleton

SDC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Karen Saliman, Chair

Andrew Hamano,Vice ChairMarva Coleman, Secretary

Richard L.Anderson, President and Executive Director

Louis Kennedy,Treasurer

Voting Members

Marva Coleman Mike Dino Andrew HamanoKing HarrisAlice Kelly

Non-Voting Members

Aurora City Councilwoman Nadine CaldwellDenver City Councilman Michael HancockCommerce City Councilman Orval Lewis

William H. Hornby Allegra “Happy” Haynes

Laura Aldrete

Advertise in the

Front PorchCall Julie Picha at 303-382-1800

for information on advertising

rates and to reserve space for

your ad.

Deadlines for the March/April

2004 Edition of the Front Porch:

Reserve space by February 2

Submit ads by February 9

Stapleton Development Corporation Board

Harry T. Lewis, Jr.Rev. Dr. Paul Martin Frances McDonaldJohn Moye Karen Saliman

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Bocaza MexicanGrille/Big Bubba’sBBQWhat could bebetter than arestaurant thatserves great Mex-ican dishes andmouth-wateringbarbecue in one location? Thatdescription fitsBocaza MexicanGrille/BigBubba’s BBQ inQuebec Square.Shift ManagerLuis Rivera and

Juana Hernandez are available to help hungry customers make thedifficult choice between tasty burritos, fajitas, tacos and quesadillasor a selection of meaty ribs, sandwiches and briskets that aredesigned to appeal to any appetite. Bocaza Mexican Grille/BigBubba’s BBQ is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sundays. It is located on the east side of Quebec Square across from Sam’s Club.

MEYO

LOMERC

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Town Center DentistryWhen Dr. Brett Kessler, DDS and his wife Dr. Gina Kessler, DDS,MS moved to Stapleton, they hoped to become “the neighborhooddentists.” Now that they have opened Town Center Dentistry in the East 29th Avenue Town Center, the two dentists who have morethan eighteen years of combined experience are realizing their dream.

Brett Kessler specializes in cosmetic and restorative dentistry foradults, while Gina Kessler practices orthodontics for adults and chil-dren. Their high tech office uses digital x-ray techniques that havebetter diagnostic quality than film while reducing radiation by over50 percent, and their “whisper quiet” dental equipment is designedto put every patient at ease. Appointments are available on Mondaysfrom 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Tuesdays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling 303-321-4445. (See ad on page 7.)

Doctor’s Vision WorksChris Wilson, general manager of Doctor’s VisionWorks on the westside of Quebec Square, estimates he carries “over one thousand”different frames that include a full range of designer names,including Guess, Chaps, Tommy Hilfiger and many others. Doctor’sVisionWorks has two optometrists on staff to ensure that mostglasses made on site are ready in about one hour to meet the needsof adults and children. Contact lenses are also available from thestore that is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays - Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

A Day SpaLooking for just the right gift for Valentine’s Day or anotherspecial occasion? Karin Ward, operations manager of A Day Spa inQuebec Square, suggests a gift certificate that is certain to pleaseany lucky recipient. Owner Anita Zimmerman has a talented staffof cosmetologists, massage therapists, nail technicians and otherspecialists who provide a relaxing and rejuvenating experience foranyone who visits their shop. A Day Spa is open on the southernedge of Quebec Square at 7505 E. 35th Avenue daily exceptMondays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (303) 780-9000 for moreinformation. (See ad on page 7.)

ChipotleManager Mark Gordon and his Assistant Manager,Adolfo Silva, direct a staff of 16 employees at the newChipotle in the East 29th Avenue Town Center at Stapleton where the menu invites diners to savor anexperience described temptingly as: “The food is freshand hot. The atmosphere is cool.” While the focus ofthe Chipotle menu is burritos and tacos, it is alsoaccurate to say that the choices are “endless.” Amongthe other favorites are carnitas that include “naturallyraised Niman Ranch free-range pork” which is seasonedwith a delightful variety of spices, seared and thenbraised for hours. Vegetarian fajitas are also available.

Chipotle is open everyday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.Orders can be faxed to (303) 316-0755 and should beconfirmed at (303) 316-0469. Patio seating is available.

Office DepotSusan Woodcock, store manager of the OfficeDepot in Quebec Square, is confident her nineteenemployees are ready to assist customers with all oftheir software and office needs for the upcoming tax preparation season. She also points out that her store’s office planning advice and full line ofcopying services that are in demand every day of the year have drawn a “wonderful business clientele”who have been steady customers since her storeopened in August of 2002. Susan also says that this year’s “back-to-school” business from familieswho live at Stapleton and the surrounding neighbor-hoods was nothing short of “tremendous.” Office Depot is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Just for FeetStore Director Dean McCormick has the energy and enthusiasm of anathlete when he describes the full range of athletic shoes and sportsparaphernalia his store sells at Just For Feet on the west side of QuebecSquare. A five-year veteran with the company, Dean says his store has hadtremendous support from the community since it opened eighteen monthsago. With young, active families moving in to Stapleton at a rate of nearly40 families each month and adjacent neighborhoods that have beenwaiting many years for new retail such as Just for Feet, it is not surprisingthat Dean’s enthusiasm has also infected his staff of 25 young employeeswho provide knowledgeable and pleasant assistance to anyone looking forjust the right footwear. Just For Feet is open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.Mondays through Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

SportClipsIt is a “family affair” at the new SportClips next to Panera Bread inQuebec Square where owners Doug and Vickie Groetken describethemselves as “Team Leaders” but readily admit the “real boss” istheir infant daughter Ainsley. Customers are entertained with sportson the Big Screen television as five “Guy-Smart” stylists cut hair in alocker room atmosphere where “Guys Win.” SportClips at QuebecSquare is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Noappointments are needed but call (303) 399-8200 for information onsuch special events as an appearance by Rocky and the DenverNuggets dancers in February. (See ad on page 7.)

EET OUR CAL HANTS

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Amore FioriA visit last yearto the famousCampo deFiori f loralmarket on acobblestonestreet in Romeinspired MichelleStefanon topursue her passion forf lowers. OnJanuary 12ththe rest becomes history as Michelle and her husband Casey Carey open Amore Fiori Flowers and Gifts in the East 29th Avenue Town Center at Stapleton.

Michelle says the name of her small, custom shop translates loosely as “To Love Flowers.” Visitors to Amore Fiori will experience“the feeling of an outdoor Italian f lower market” and find unique gifts,seasonal décor, plants and a vibrant array of the freshest f lowers fromgrowers around the world for special occasions or to make any day aspecial occasion. Corporate services that include standing orders foroffices, lobbies, parties and banquets are also available. Amore Fioriwill be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Toarrange for delivery of f lowers, call (303) 333-3848. More information is available at michelle@amore-fiori.com. (See ad on page 7.)

Noodles and CompanyWhen Jeff Rains talks about his delicious menu of fresh salads, andpasta and noodle dishes that include Mushroom Stroganoff, PenneRosa and Pasta Fresca, he also adds that the chicken noodle soup andthe Wisconsin Mac & Cheese are among the early favorites that arebringing new customers to enjoy lunch and dinner at his establishmentin the East 29th Avenue Town Center at Stapleton. A beer and wineselection is also available. Noodles and Company is open 11 a.m. to 9p.m., Sundays through Wednesdays, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thurs-days, Fridays and Saturdays. Call ahead to place orders by phone at(303) 780-0044 or by fax at (303) 780-0055. Patio seating is available.

Above: An artist’s rendering of the Parkside Apartments at Stapleton that will be developed by Denver-based MercyHousing at 23rd and Syracuse Street. The 68 rental homeswill be ready for occupancy in early 2005, and are designedto be affordable to incomes earned by retail workers, entry-level professionals, day-care providers, and others earning 30to 60 percent of the area median income. For moreinformation, call Mercy Housing at 303-830-3300.

Right: Representatives from The City of Denver,TheStapleton Development Corporation and Forest City joinMercy Housing officials in the groundbreaking ceremony.

Traffic Problems and Other Useful Ways to Build Community

By Bill Fulton

The last SUN traffic committee meeting wasnot exactly a bonding experience at the out-set. On December 2, a group of residentscame to express their deep concerns overthe impact that the closure of 26th Avenueat Central Park Boulevard has had on theirstreet traffic. Put on the defensive, membersof the Forest City traffic team tried toexplain the rationale behind the trafficplans, but with limited success. The roomdid not feel particularly warm and fuzzy.

Once it became clear, however, that solu-tions people were proposing would simplypush the problem onto someone else’s street,the conversation changed. Instead of eachperson trying to address his or her own pri-vate concerns, the group needed to think col-lectively and take on the problem together —even for those not at the meeting. With thisturn in the conversation, Forest City sharedthat it had learned new information andwould take steps to address the issue. Resi-dents expressed gratitude for being heard and

a willingness to get more involved in thefuture to promote better communication.What began as a divisive session of neigh-bors against developers ended as a groupsolving a problem together.

This meeting, and previous ones like it,illustrates and underscores the importanceof SUN’s mission of trying to foster con-structive conversations that help move Stapleton from a neighborhood to a community. It will take time to create asystem of communication that keepseveryone informed, and a style of com-municating that respects everyone’s views.But it seems to be working, in small stepsat least, and the results are encouraging.

Our next step down that road will be

a community-wide meeting on Tuesday,February 3 at 6:30 p.m. at WesterlyCreek School. In the spirit of proactivecommunication, Forest City will provide anupdate of the next phases of build out inthe development, and explain the time linefor important milestones in the process. Wewill also hear about an exciting partnershipto promote active living at Stapleton, andcontinue our efforts to build a system ofblock captains. Finally, we will lay out theplans for formal SUN elections in April.And of course, we would like to hear what ison people’s minds for future meetings.

As one of SUN’s organizers, Greg Diggs,remarked at the last meeting, traffic is proving to be our best tool for getting people engaged and organized in the neighborhood. Let’s hope we can continue to turn problems into problem-solving opportunities. Contact us at stapletonneighbors@msn.com if you would like to help.

Bill Fulton is a member of S.U.N.

Mercy Housing Scheduled for Occupancy in Early 2005

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S.U.N.SPOT

STAPLETON UNITED NEIGHBORS

Rendering courtesy of Mercy Housing

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Stapleton ChristmasLights Winner

Mortenson Wins Construction

Award for Stapleton

M.A. Mortenson, the contractormanaging more than $300 million inroads, utilities and other infrastruc-ture construction for The Park CreekMetropolitan District at Stapleton,has been honored by the RockyMountain Chapter of AssociatedBuilders and Contractors with its“Excellence in Construction Awards.”

Mortenson received the honorafter a panel of six distinguishedjudges reviewed the award submis-sions for the competition. Criteriaconsidered during the judging includ-ed such factors as complexity, unusu-al challenges or problems overcome,innovative techniques or programs,value engineering, safety record, andowner satisfaction. Mortenson alsoreceived an award for its work on the Pepsi Center in the categoryinvolving commercial work in therange of $5 million to $10 million.Among other notable projects, M.A.Mortenson has served as the generalcontractor for the construction ofCoors Field.

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Professional Builder Magazine has namedStapleton builder John Laing Homes its“2004 Builder of the Year.” The award,which has been in existence since 1966,recognizes the one homebuilder that ratesthe highest in three areas: overallexcellence, innovation, and reputation.According to Heather McCune, editor-in-chief of Professional Builder, John LaingHomes was deemed the most deservingnominee from a list of finalists thatincluded large publicly owned, nationalbuilders as well as smaller, “niche” builders.

“The leadership at John Laing Homesdedicates itself to hiring the talent andbuilding the processes that lead to ahome buying experience that delightsbuyers,” said McCune. “John LaingHomes is different – by design – thanother new home builders and it is thesedifferences we celebrate in naming it ourBuilder of the Year.” “Our companyculture is based on values we all share,and on creating a learning organization,”said Larry Webb, CEO of John LaingHomes. “It is through this that we areable to stay focused on constantlyimproving the way we build homes andthe experience we provide our customers.”

(continued from page 2) the DenverSchool of Science and Technology, a$15 million, 65,000 square-foot DPScharter high school created by NewSchools Development Corporation,is scheduled to open on MontviewBoulevard east of Syracuse Street.This effort has received strong sup-port from the Bill and Melinda GatesFoundation, Hewlett Packard andother national and local foundations.Forest City, Stapleton, Inc. has com-mitted $3.5 million in land and con-struction assistance to the school.This past November, Denver voterspassed a school bond that included$5 million for construction. Thedesign by KCJD Architects hasearned a “Design Concepts” awardfrom the Council of Education Facil-ities Planners International (CEFPI).

In 2006, Stapleton’s first K-8school is scheduled to open in a $14million, 100,000 square-foot buildingat the corner of Montview Boule-vard and Central Park Boulevard.Designed by M+O+A ArchitecturalPartnership, the Stapleton K-8 schoolwill pioneer environmentally progres-sive architecture featuring geothermalheat pumps, which save thousands of dollars annually on heating andcooling.

As early as 2008, a public highschool campus is projected to openeast of 53rd Avenue and QuebecStreet consisting of three smallschools of approximately 450 stu-dents. The schools on that campuswill share common facilities such as alibrary, auditorium and gymnasium.

The emphasis on the quality ofour schools is already showingresults. Drawn by the prospect andreality of innovative public schoolswithin a short walk or bike ride, fam-ilies with children have purchasednearly half of the first 750 homesnow occupied at Stapleton. Thanksto the Denver Public Schools and acommunity that cares about the edu-cation it provides its children, Staple-ton’s national and international spot-light is now shining brightest on thequality of our schools.

John S. Lehigh is the Chief Operating Officer for Forest City Stapleton, Inc.

Stapleton Builder

Honored

DPS Schoolsat Stapleton

Stapleton’s first DPS campus,Westerly Creek,opened last August

This home in the 2700 block of Uinta Street was rated “Best Overall” for its holiday decorations.The first place prize was a “Stapleton Cruiser” bicycle.