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February 2017 — Retail Properties Quarterly — Page 19
City Highlight
H ow does a historic mining and
mill town of less than 2 square
miles become a destination
for more than 20,000 visitors
daily and a gaming hub that
contributes $88 million annually in
taxes to the Colorado economy?With
the indomitable spirit and unwavering
vision for progress and prosperity that
first drove the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of
the 1800s.
Black Hawk, “The City of Mills,” is
Colorado’s second-oldest city. After
peaking with a population of more
than 2,000 in the late 1800s, Black
Hawk began to decline in numbers
in the early 20th century. On Oct. 1,
1991, following a successful Colorado
ballot measure that allowed limited
stakes gambling in the commercial
districts of Black Hawk and two other
Colorado mountain towns, specula-
tors opened the first renovated historic
structures for use as casinos. Gaming
proved spectacularly successful in
attracting new investment to the area
in amounts unheard of since the gold
boommore than a century before.
In Black Hawk’s most recent revival
over the past 20 years, over $1 billion
has been invested in land, casinos
and related development to create the
popular Gaming Outstanding Lodging
and Dining District, commonly known
as the GOLD District.Today, this moun-
tain city is ranked 18th in gaming
destinations by the American Gaming
Association and generates over 85 per-
cent of Colorado’s gaming tax revenue.
With a can-doWestern attitude,
Black Hawk is determined to make the
most from the second-boom period by
creating a vision for the next iteration
of what the city can offer tourists and
the state of Colo-
rado.
Black Hawk is
proactively plan-
ning to broaden its
economy through an
innovative vision for
its next renaissance.
The vision is to cre-
ate the first gaming-
centric destination
in the state with all
of the amenities of a
premiere resort loca-
tion resulting in the
fusion of gaming, entertainment, shop-
ping, exceptional culinary experiences
and outdoor recreation. In doing so, the
city hopes to attract new visitors and
an expanded source of revenue for the
city and for those who stake their busi-
ness in the 1.5-square-mile city limits.
By increasing the number of res-
taurants and nongaming activities in
Black Hawk, the region could expect an
estimated $197 million a year in incre-
mental revenue, according to the city’s
strategic plan. Increasing the num-
ber of nongaming businesses is also
expected to draw an additional 44,000
visitors annually.
“Our vision is designed to drive and
increase visitor volume and velocity
through variety, which translates into
more visitors, more often, for a longer
period of time because we will have
more to offer,” said Mayor David Spell-
man. “The addition of these amenities
will establish Black Hawk as Colorado’s
premier gaming resort destination.”
With enthusiastic, forward-thinking
city leaders and less than 100 resi-
dents, the city’s progressive outlook
and nimble decision-making make it
one of the most business-friendly envi-
ronments in the state.
To make way for this vision to
become reality, the city is realigning
Gregory Street to create a pedestrian-
friendly entertainment district that will
enhance the historic mining town’s
gaming experience.The city’s develop-
ment goals include a mix of commer-
cial, retail and hospitality uses, active
street-front retail and integrated public
space.This will create development
opportunities within blocks of existing
casinos with targeted amenities such
as:
• Craft breweries, distilleries, vintner
and tasting rooms.
• Restaurants.
• Entertainment venues.
• An event/conference venue.
• Local specialty retailers and crafts-
men.
• Outdoor entertainment facilities.
• Educational experiences with his-
toric properties.
The development area is comprised
of several parcels on Gregory Street
Jack Lewis
City manager,
Black Hawk
Black Hawk
Black Hawk is realigning Gregory Street to include a mix of commercial, retail and hospi-
tality uses, active street-front retail and integrated public spaces.