Arvada residents fear development pressures in historic Olde Town

“But neighbors of the future Olde Town station are concerned the transit-oriented development will degrade the charm of Arvada’s historic districts, which sit just across from the future commuter-rail stop.

The city of Arvada changed construction and design guidelines for its Olde Town area in February, including allowing buildings to be as tall as five stories, rather than three. The first project to take advantage of the changes is Park Place Olde Town, an apartment building about to break ground at the edge of historic McIlvoy Park.

“In our view, it spells the doom of our historic district,” said Nancy Young, an Arvada resident and spokeswoman for the new group Save Arvada Now. “We do not oppose development. We do oppose higher density. There’s a big difference between a five-story, box-like apartment building and a two- or three-story condo development.””

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Robles, Yesenia. Denver Post 2 July 2013.