I’ve been watching the preliminary bulldozing of the land to the east of C470 above Morrisson, below I-70. It’s a nice patch of land called the Rooney Valley, and it was the site of an abortive business development some years back (which was kiboshed — after streets and trees and lighting were put in — because of water rights). It’s since been used mostly for horse grazing.
It seems that’s all been solved, because some initial grading and the painting last week of a water tank with a big “Solterra” sign indicates the development is soon to commence. The plan is to put an interchange at Alameda (the interchangeless overpass coming down the hill from I-70).
Next comes the houses, starting with the chi-chi $1MM-home portion of the Solterra development, which will be the site of the 2008 Parade of Homes. That, in turn, will pull in more business park development and more affordable housing.
I’m not enough of a hypocrite to suggest that Colorado should have shut its doors to growth after we moved in — but I’ve been watching the slow buildup of the C470 corridor, and this particular property has always been appealing to me for various reasons. Seeing it become yet another housing development and business park is disheartening, but probably inevitable. Here’s hoping they do a decent job, at least.