The end of the era of the big box retailer is leaving landlords with the difficult task of finding new tenants for the large, empty storefronts.
When Sports Authority left its headquarters in the Denver suburb of Englewood, a new opportunity opened up for an atypical tenant to take its place. As Jason Blevins of the Denver Postreports, Earth Treks took over the space to open the country's largest indoor rock climbing gym. Chris Warner, the founder of Earth Treks, sees the glut of empty big box stores dotting the country as an opportunity to expand his rock climbing empire.
Repurposing big box stores, which are fading at a breakneck pace, is a mounting challenge for the retail industry, where hundreds of the suddenly empty stores anchored thousands of peripheral businesses.
CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real estate investment firm, noted in its 2017 market report that 70 big box spaces are available for rent in metro Denver.
FULL STORY: Country’s largest climbing gym coming to former Sports Authority headquarters in Englewood
Colorado Officials Plan Denver-Fort Collins Rail Service by 2029
About $40 million a year in state funding from new transportation fees could be the key to getting a short passenger rail line from Denver to Fort Collins up and running in the next four years, Colorado officials said last week.
Denver Could Eliminate Parking Requirements
The city could remove parking mandates citywide to reduce the cost of housing construction and ease permitting for new projects.
Denver Takes on Sidewalk Repair
The Colorado capital is the largest U.S. city to commit to maintaining its entire sidewalk network, funding repairs through a fee on property owners.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)