Kroenke Family Takes Full Control of Denver's Elitch Gardens, River Mile Project in Major Downtown Expansion
In a significant move that could reshape downtown Denver's future, Colorado sports mogul Stan Kroenke and his family have acquired complete financial control of Elitch Gardens, Meow Wolf Denver, and crucial South Platte River properties from their former development partner, Revesco Properties.
The acquisition strengthens the Kroenke family's influence over central Denver's development, particularly the ambitious River Mile project - a transformative plan that could potentially double downtown Denver's population through extensive development along the South Platte River corridor.
"Realizing sole ownership of these properties will allow us to streamline our comprehensive vision for the future development encompassing The River Mile and the adjacent Ball Arena campus," said KSE Owner and Chairman Stan Kroenke.
Impact on Popular Colorado Attractions
For the millions of Colorado families who consider Elitch Gardens a summer tradition, KSE Executive Vice President Mike Neary offered reassurance: both Elitch Gardens and Meow Wolf will continue operating at their current locations - at least for the immediate future.
"A day at Elitch's is a rite of summer for more than a million visitors annually. We intend to keep it that way and better than ever," stated Neary.
Reshaping Denver's Urban Core
The deal marks a significant milestone for the River Mile development, which has been in planning since 2015. Former partner Revesco Properties, led by Rhys Duggan, played a crucial role in establishing the project's foundation before selling their interest to the Kroenke family.
What This Means for Colorado Residents
The consolidation of ownership under the Kroenke family could have far-reaching implications for Colorado communities:
- Potential transformation of central Denver's landscape and population density
- Future changes to beloved Colorado attractions like Elitch Gardens
- Impact on downtown Denver housing and commercial development
- Enhanced integration with Ball Arena campus activities
While long-term plans for the properties remain unclear, this move positions the Kroenke family - who already own the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche - to have an even greater influence on the future development of Colorado's capital city.
The development team has not yet responded to requests for additional details about their long-term vision for the amusement park and surrounding properties, leaving many Colorado families wondering about the future of these iconic Mile High City destinations.
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