Glendale's 4 Mile District stalls in court
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Glendale spent years promising a new entertainment district, but all the city's gotten so far is an escalating legal battle.
Why it matters: The $150 million 4 Mile District was supposed to transform 10 acres near Virginia Avenue and the Cherry Creek Trail into a destination packed with restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment.
Driving the news: Glendale alleges developer Central Street Capital "manufactured a dispute" over what the project's first phase required so it could avoid closing on a critical land deal, according to an Arapahoe County court filing this month.
- An attorney representing Central Street told BusinessDen that Glendale's accusation is "false, unsupported, and directly contradicted by the public record."
State of play: The fight boils down to a disagreement over where — and when — the project needed to meet an important development requirement.
- Central Street says Glendale demanded 90,000 square feet of sales-tax-generating businesses on the project's first five acres.
- The developer argues it had all 10 acres to reach that mark.
Follow the money: The distinction matters because sales taxes from those businesses would help repay roughly $70 million in bonds financing the development.
Central Street says Glendale blew up the land deal needed to keep the project moving.
- The developer contends it spent four years and millions of dollars, only for its money and closing documents to be left sitting in escrow.
What's inside: Plans for 4 Mile included an Alamo Drafthouse, restaurants, sports and rooftop bars, live music, shops, a hotel and outdoor plazas.
- Central Street started infrastructure work, including a parking garage, in summer 2024.
- Construction stopped earlier this year.
Catch up quick: Central Street sued Glendale in March 2025 after the planned land transfer collapsed, and is seeking more than $20 million in damages.
Flashback: The relationship sounded much chummier in July 2024 when city leaders and Central Street broke ground.
- "It's surreal to be able to bring the 'fun center' back to Glendale," Central Street president Isiah Salazar said around that time.
The bottom line: With the project tied up in court, no one can say when — or whether — the promised restaurants, shops and entertainment will arrive.