Reshaping Downtown Denver

The heart of the Mile High City could get a major jolt of electricity. If all goes according to plan, the Ball Arena Redevelopment Project will pave the way for new buildings, parks, housing and litany of retail spaces that are estimated to expand downtown by 40%. For Matt Mahoney, senior vice president of development at Kroenke Sports and Entertainment (KSE), scoping the massive project is as much an exercise in architecture as it is in building relationships—especially in a place like Denver, where "development" can be a dirty word. On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, Mahoney explains KSE's vision for a new entertainment district, the key to getting the community on board, and how to plan for a project that won't wrap up for at least 20 years. Table of contents • 1:13 Ball Arena redevelopment in a nutshell • 2:19 Why arenas make vibrant neighborhoods • 3:52 Building a (literal) bridge between communities • 5:10 What about overdevelopment? • 6:58 Make or break factors for a district • 8:30 The growth of sports ownership empires • 10:08 Planning a 20-year project • 12:25 Will Ball Arena be replaced? • 15:06 From a history to degree to a development career • 17:04 "It may not be a perfect role but just get it" • 19:36 Getting people to like you • 20:54 Show notes and credits