[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 94 (Friday, July 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1250-E1251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE REDEVELOPMENT OF STAPLETON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 12, 2002

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Forest City 
Stapleton, Inc., for their role in the redevelopment of the former 
Stapleton International Airport in Denver, Colorado.
  Stapleton International Airport served as Denver's municipal airport 
from 1929 to 1995. After that function ended with opening of the new 
Denver International Airport, there was much discussion about what to 
do with the 7.5 square mile Stapleton property--land that

[[Page E1251]]

once was at the edge of town but that is now surrounded by residential 
development.
  What evolved from those discussions is the vision that Forest City 
Stapleton, Inc. is implementing today--a vision that I am proud to 
recognize as an example of the kinds of responsible community 
redevelopment.
  As Colorado continues to increase rapidly in population, policies 
that promote smart, responsibly managed growth become ever more 
important. The new Stapleton community that Forest City Stapleton, Inc. 
has planned displays the finest aspects of both smart growth and ``New 
Urbanism.''
  New urbanism refers to community development that concentrates a 
diversity of uses (residential, commercial, governmental) and thus 
avoids some of the impacts that come with suburban sprawl (such as long 
commutes, lost open space). Forest City Stapleton, Inc. has 
consistently remained mindful of the critical importance of developing 
land so as to maximize the use of natural resources while minimizing 
the impact on the natural environment.
  Over the next 20 years, Stapleton's 4,700 acres will become a new 
community of 12,000 homes and 13 million square feet of offices and 
shops as well as over 1,100 acres of parks and open space. The 
Stapleton redevelopment alone will increase the acreage of Denver parks 
by 30 percent. With new homes, schools, retail and office space, 
Stapleton will be a self-sustainable community where people can live, 
learn, work and play. By varying land-use and density of development, 
Forest City Stapleton, Inc. is able to create the social and economic 
diversity characteristic of any great urban community.
  Essentially, through the foresight of the Stapleton redevelopment 
committee, the surrounding communities and the City and County of 
Denver, Coloradans are converting a once productive property into a new 
community that will serve its residents well, The redevelopment of 
Stapleton represented an opportunity to employ innovative and workable 
approaches that will result in healthy, livable communities. I hope 
that this model can be used as an example of alternatives to 
traditional development in communities throughout Colorado.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in expressing our 
appreciation for the conscientious development Forest City Stapleton, 
Inc. has undertaken. I wish them continued success.

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