Broncos unveil preliminary framework for new stadium site
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Preliminary designs for the new Broncos stadium were presented during a meeting at La Alma Recreation Center. Photo: Esteban L. Hernandez/Axios
The Denver Broncos on Thursday unveiled a preliminary concept for its new stadium site during a community meeting in the city's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Why it matters: The new Broncos stadium will be the most transformational project in a generation for the predominantly Latino neighborhood, ushering a new era not just for the franchise, but a city filled with its adoring fans.
- A new stadium will draw Denver closer to its goal of one day hosting a Super Bowl.
The big picture: Hosted at La Alma Recreation Center, which sits next to the new stadium location at Burnham Yard, the meeting signals the team's intent to listen to the people who will spend years dealing with development in their backyards.
- The team started polling the roughly 300 attendees about concerns and what they would like to see at the site.
State of play: The tentative layout is anchored by the stadium, comprising five distinct zones within the 150-acre footprint, including housing, community and business spaces.
- The entire stadium district will stretch from 13th Avenue down to 4th Avenue, crossing over into the city's Baker neighborhood.
- It will include between 5 million to 7 million square feet of new development, with at least 15 acres of green space.
Context: The team's ownership group, led by Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner, has promised that the stadium's steep bill — it's expected to cost billions — will be privately-funded.
Yes, but: Team president Damani Leech told sitting and standing onlookers the project will receive state and city "support" for infrastructure development, though he didn't specify what kind of support.
What they're saying: "We want it to be a great place for fans on game day, but also a great place every day for this community that surrounds it," Leech said.
The intrigue: No designs for the stadium itself were provided Thursday.
- Leech told reporters a stadium capacity and size is yet to be determined.
What's next: The stadium site's design is ongoing, with site construction slated to start as early as next year.