Denver council approves Rock Drill redevelopment plan, rezoning and TIF package

Denver City Council on Sept. 15 approved a package of actions to enable redevelopment of the former Rock Drill manufacturing site at 1717 E. 30th Avenue, including a rezoning, a development agreement that secures affordable housing commitments and landmark preservation, and an urban-redevelopment plan authorizing tax-increment financing for remediation and adaptive reuse.

City planners and the developer told council the site — roughly 6.7 acres with several historic sawtooth-roof buildings — has been vacant and under‑utilized for years. The project team said the development will likely include 700–800 residential units, 40,000–60,000 square feet of office space, 100,000–150,000 square feet of retail (including pursuit of a grocer), public open space and a preservation program for the existing historic buildings.

Why it matters: The approvals let the developer access Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA) tools, including property- and sales-tax increment to reimburse eligible remediation and historic-preservation costs. City and community leaders said the package balances new housing and jobs with preservation and neighborhood benefits in an area targeted for higher growth near transit.

What council approved: Council passed the rezoning (council bill 25-10-71), a development agreement between the city and…