The ducks swimming in Westerly Creek at sunrise seemed unconcerned by the major construction project that surrounds them. Photo taken on April 16

At the end of May, the Westerly Creek Project at Stanley will be nearly complete, allowing the City of Aurora to officially hand over the area west of the shopping center to its owners. Jonathan Alpert, one of the founders of the market, said he can’t wait. “We’re really excited to have Westerly Creek completed and back and to see how this will expand the footprint of the Stanley as we really learn how the land will work in this new configuration,” he said. “We’ll continue to expand outdoor recreation activities that complement the marketplace.”

Alpert said they will soon install turf on a portion of the field so they can resume hosting movies, concerts, sporting events, and other activities. The newly-configured area will also allow them to add badly-needed parking—about 75 additional spaces located just west of the existing parking lot.

The $14 million project, which has been underway for more than a year, moved the industrial-looking canal a thousand feet west of the market and transformed it into a meandering creek. A water filtration pond was also constructed, and native grasses and plants were installed. The overall project, stretching from Montview Boulevard to 26th Avenue, is designed to improve stormwater management, enhance water quality, and add new walking and biking trails. It was funded by the City of Aurora, the Mile High Flood District, Adams County open space sales tax, and the Stanley.

New walking and biking trails wind alongside the newly restored, meandering creek. Aside from a small turf area and added parking, the site will feature native grasses and plants. The industrial bridge will be removed once construction is complete.

Colin Haggerty, a watershed manager for the Mile High Flood District, said he’s pleased the project will be completed on time and within budget: “I’m feeling very good that we have been good stewards of taxpayer money, and it’s going to be an incredibly beautiful project for the neighborhood and larger community.”

While the work on the section of land directly adjacent to the marketplace is expected to be completed by Memorial Day, crews will continue to work throughout the summer on irrigation and pond structures closer to Montview Boulevard. The staging area for construction will also remain where it is for the next several months, but ultimately that space will become another gardening area for the Village Farm at Stanley, located on the northwest corner of the project area.

Two new bridges for pedestrians and cyclists were constructed across the creek to better connect the bike paths to Stanley Marketplace, making it easier for people to leave their cars at home.

Haggerty said the biggest challenge in the construction process was dealing with the waste of the former industrial site: “There was debris and contamination from when it was an aviation center and an ejection seat testing area.” He said they followed normal protocols for dealing with hazardous waste. The crews also discovered some unexpected building foundations. “We don’t know if there were underground bunkers at some point in time, but the huge concrete blocks slowed construction a bit as we figured out how to remove them,” he said.

A community celebration of the new open space likely won’t happen until fall, but Alpert said in the next few months there will be some special activities to honor the 10th anniversary of the opening of the marketplace, which will include a recognition of the new outdoor areas. “We’re excited for the summer and excited for this space to open up and get our community back in there to have some fun.”

Construction will continue throughout the summer on the south end of the project near Montview Boulevard. Native grasses will be planted along the creek and ponds to help remove toxins and prevent flooding.

Haggerty is hopeful there will be a way to mark the completion of the project. “I think we don’t always celebrate these wins as much as we should,” he said. “I want to make sure we take time to thank all the workers, the contractors, the designers, and everyone who put in so much hard work and effort to make this space something that will enhance the community for years to come.”

Front Porch photos by Christie Gosch