Old office buildings and restaurants are getting second chances along the 38th corridor in Wheat Ridge. Enthusiastic start-up business owners, an influx of new residents, and city funding are breathing new life into this forgotten area. City planners started a revitalization plan in 2005, hoping to bring a new generation of residents to into their aging neighborhoods.
According to the Denver Post, more than 30 new businesses have located on the corridor, which stretches from Sheridan Boulevard on the east to just west of Wadsworth Boulevard. This influx is giving home buyers the urban amenities they crave in the more affordable suburban areas. People are looking for a refuge from increasingly expensive Denver but still want to be able to walk to places and have a drink or eat.
The overall focus of the area is shifting toward a community environment that is going to appeal to younger residents. "We need to create our own identity, and you need a reason for people to want to get here," said Steve Art, the city's economic development and urban renewal manager.
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_24243676/wheat-ridge-38th-avenue-corridor-change
