1) Over Flyte at FlyteCo Brewing

FlyteCo Brewing has expanded its space and offerings as the facility gets ready to celebrate one year in the 164-foot former Stapleton International Airport control tower. Over Flyte has partnered with FlyteCo by opening a space on the third floor of the tower. Over Flyte has three suite-style golf simulators, six high-tech axe-throwing lanes, multiple ping pong tables, and 5,000-feet of event space plus a full bar and food menu.

Over Flyte owner Vinay Patidar in front of the high-tech axe-throwing lanes. Front Porch photo by Christie Gosch

Using real axes, guests can play digital games such as Connect Four and tic-tac-toe. The simulators offer traditional golf on PGA courses, and guests can also play other simulated sports that include baseball, football, and hockey.

One of three suite-style simulators for golf and other sports.

Four ping pong tables at Over Flyte.

2) Denver Speech and Debate Teams Shine at Nationals

Two Denver high schools excelled at this summer’s National Speech and Debate tournament in Phoenix. George Washington High School finished among the top 20 schools in the nation in debate, and East High School finished among the top 40 in speech. Individually for George Washington, rising senior Greta Batchelor came in tenth in Policy Debate, and rising senior Ivan Levitt was named eleventh in Original Oratory. George Washington also received a top honor when teacher Maryrose Kohan was crowned the 2023 National Speech and Debate Association Coach of the Year. As for East High School, twin brothers and rising seniors Elijah and Elias Goss stoked the crowd with a dynamic delivery about overcoming challenges, earning them third place in Duo Interpretation. Toby Penner reached the quarter finals in Congressional Debate, which the East Speech and Debate coach, Seth Wilden, notes “is a significant achievement since Toby competed as a freshman.”

George Washington High School’s speech and debate team brought home several top awards from the 2023 national tournament in Phoenix. Teacher Maryrose Kohan was named Coach of the Year. Photo courtesy of the GW speech and debate team

3) Park Hill Housing Project

Urban Land Conservancy is planning an affordable housing project of about 350 units at the northeast corner of 40th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. The site will feature “attainable housing,” including senior housing, as well as open space and possibly a Denver Public Schools vocational school.

Urban Land Conservancy acquired the original 9.4-acre site in 2013 with the help of the Regional Transit-Oriented Development Fund. The property’s first phase, Park Hill Station, was developed by Delwest in 2016 and includes 156 affordable apartments. Urban Land Conservancy is partnering with Elmington, a Nashville-based real estate and development firm, on the sale, zoning, and development of the remaining 6.7 acres. Elmington vice president of development Ryan Tobin says, “We believe the location, limited affordable housing in the area, and the access to transit are all key pieces to the outcome we are pursuing.” Shopworks Architecture has been tapped as the project architect.

4) Restaurant Openings and Closings

Two long-time Central Park restaurants have closed and a new one has entered the scene.

Next Door Kitchen & Bar in the Eastbridge Town Center closed after 12 years. After co-founder Kimbal Musk (brother of Elon) stepped down in 2022, the restaurant revamped its menus and closed two of its four locations. The remaining locations, in Central Park and Boulder, have now closed as well.

Pizzeria Locale closed all five of its locations on July 10. Founders Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson have opened many Denver restaurants, including Frasca, Tavernetta, Sunday Vinyl, and Pizzeria Alberico. In 2013, they partnered with Chipotle to open Pizzeria Locale and rapidly expand the business. Though all Pizzeria Locale restaurants have closed, the former employees were offered jobs at Chipotle locations.

The Halal Guys opened at 8241 East Northfield Boulevard. The company was founded in 1990 by three Egyptian men, and it began as a hot dog cart in New York City. “Halal” is an Arabic word meaning “permissible” and refers to consuming animals that were fed a natural diet and were processed humanely with no pork or hindquarter cuts. The menu includes sandwiches or platters with beef gyro, chicken, or falafel. Sides include hummus, baba ghanoush or fries, and desserts entail fresh cookies and baklava cheesecake.