Charlotte officials visited our Mile High City last week to check out our rejuvenated downtown, sports facilities and mass transit. They seem to recognize that a strong urban core is good for the entire region. The Charlotte delegation wandered into museums, schools and greenbelts while they were here. Our construction is underway. And for large projects like the new Colorado Mills shopping center going up in Lakewood, everyone gets the chance to thank one another.
Developers thank citizens and thank the city.
But somewhere along the way, the groundbreaking ceremony has become, well, ceremonial. Some guy dressed up as Buffalo Bill kicked off the midday event, which drew several hundred of Lakewood's business folk, city officials and local press. Standing on stage before the crowd and next to Lakewood Mayor Steve Burkholder, Buffalo Bill welcomed Virginia mall developer Mills Corp. to Golden. After several rounds of thank-yous that followed, developer Greg Stevinson, Mills real estate VP Terry Fitzgerald and the mayor donned hard hats and giant pickaxes. They dug into about 5 inches of rocks and dirt that was loaded in a giant sandbox and hauled in front of the stage atop the fresh asphalt.