Butterfly Pavilion STEM project stalls; FirstBank Center demolition and RFP aim to spur mixed‑use redevelopment
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Summary
Mayor Gaylene Castriada said the Butterfly Pavilion STEM school and related development funding proved infeasible; demolition of the former event center is nearly complete and the city issued an RFP for mixed‑use redevelopment with submissions due May 5. Developers will seek final BID and URA approvals March 25 for Broomfield Town Square.
Mayor Gaylene Castriada told attendees that the Butterfly Pavilion component of a planned STEM school at Baseline was unable to raise sufficient capital and will not proceed as originally planned. She said the Butterfly Pavilion building was previously estimated at $80 million to $100 million and that the city had committed $12.5 million toward the project, but the mayor said rising costs, financing conditions and leadership transitions made the project unviable.
Castriada said McWinnie, the Baseline developer, continues engineering and plans for the Baseline Center Street District and intends to begin construction in February 2026. She said several catalytic developments — Baseline at I‑25 and Highway 7, Flatirons Mall/Mark the Marketplace, and Broomfield Town Square — have approved site development plans and represent groundwork for future construction phases.
On the former FirstBank event center, the mayor said demolition is nearly completed and staff issued a request for proposals to national developers in February; submissions are due May 5. “The objective is to obtain a vibrant mixed use development, comprising retail and restaurants, innovative workspaces, a market, and a mix of residential uses,” she said.
Castriada said the developer of Broomfield Town Square appeared before city council to form a business improvement district (BID) and will return on March 25 for final BID approval and to seek formation of an urban renewal area (URA) to secure funding. She said these steps are needed for the developer to secure financing and move forward.
Ending: The mayor asked residents to “stay tuned” for updated construction timelines and developer proposals at upcoming council meetings.
