Fate of TAVA Development Rests In the Hands of WP City Council

DDA Board Grants Green Light for Sale of Woodland Station Property

Bob Volpe

The Woodland Park Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has approved the sale of  a key portion of Woodland Station to the TAVA development group.

This approval, made at the board’s most recent monthly meeting,  is just another step in the long process to turn Woodland Station over to the developers for actual ground breaking. The next step is for the sales contract to go before city council for their approval of the agreement.

The TAVA group has proposed a multi-use development, capped by a planned events center and tap house restaurant,  housing and retail.

Before the vote to approve took place, DDA Chairman Tony Perry expressed his belief that the TAVA group has shown great patience in dealing with the length of the process. He said, “I’m surprised they’re still here, frankly. I don’t know that my risk power is as great as theirs.”

Perry then said, “After we vote on this, if in the affirmative, it’s in the hands of city council. Once we’re done, we’re just gonna sit back and wait. It’s out of our hands.”

Perry did warn TAVA that there are still a few weeks until the next council meeting (set for April 20) and there could be more “bombs” placed in front of us before then.

Since the project has been proposed by the TAVA investment group, they have encountered hurdles dealing with environmental questions pertaining to the property. The main question deals with reported benzine plume, located beneath the soil on the property.

The board voted 6-1-1 to approve the sale, which originally consisted of a cash offer for the property.  Board Member Jerry Good was the only no vote and Arden Weatherford recused himself.

The sale of this property has encountered numerous delays. But delays aren’t unusual for Woodland Station proposed projects.

The development of this property, which once served as the hub of rodeo action in Woodland Park, has been an ongoing process for the last two decades. A variety of developers have proposed plans for this site. A previous DDA board even mulled the idea of turning the area into a park.

When the DDA was originally formed, this site was considered the probable anchor of commercial growth in downtown Woodland Park. That vision hasn’t quite worked out.

The Tava House project, though, has appeared to gain  more support from the DDA board than previous proposed developments.

In other DDA news Matt McCracken resigned from the board to pursue his business.

The board also approved a TIF (tax increment financing) agreement with AJ’s Pizza.