The angst of the Eastbridge community continues to grow as finalized plans with King Soopers and the development of the Eastbridge town center move forward. According to the latest SUN Survey, only about 13% of Stapleton residents “strongly support” the current proposed plan by Forest City and King Soopers for the Eastbridge town center (I would like to see more info on this 13%–demographics, where they live in Stapleton, etc.). Another 13% don’t care, and about 25% somewhat support the current direction of the development (again, what parts does this group like and dislike). This leaves almost half of the respondents strongly opposing the current direction of the project, or somewhat opposing it.
“I don’t understand who is excited about this current monstrosity,” said resident Brad Clark. “No one I talk to wants this.” Other residents agree. “Maybe non-Eastbridge people who can have the convenience of another grocery store, but not right in their own backyard,” said Kristi Bauer. “I can’t imagine anyone in Eastbridge likes this.” Eastrbidge resident Chris Williams disagrees. “I actually do support the King Soopers in the town center,” said Williams. “I mean, at least it is something. Now, I hate the gas station. Just get rid of the gas station and I think people will be a lot more open to the discussion.”
Forest City is hard at work completing what they hope will ease minds of Eastbridge naysayers. “We are very close to completing a virtual reality tour of the new area,” said Forest City Spokesperson Janelle Ayers. “People will be able to come to our office where they will put on a helmet and will be able to experience what the new town center could look like.” Ayers says that experiences will include “clutching tightly to the hands of loved ones” as you try to cross MLK which has become much busier because of the Soopers and the gas station. According to Ayers, some of the experiences feel so real, they will get your heart pounding. “We have a realistic scenario where someone rides their bike over to get a gallon of milk, and on the way home a homeless person tries to accost them. It is pretty cool.”
Some other neat features of the tour allow people to try out the retail in the new town center. “If you need cash fast, you can virtually walk into the check in to cash which will most likely be centrally located in the center,” said Ayers. “Did you have a late night partying on your block, and are now a little hungry? Try the 24 hour drive through McDondalds which may end up going there. Have you been put out by driving all the way to East Colfax for an adult book store? Well, walk right over to the town center and look at what the new adult book store has to offer.” Ayers says the tour, which cost a little over $300,000, should get the residents used to the town center before it is even built. “The tour is free, and residents can come as many times as they want,” said Ayers. “We feel that if they do our virtual tour a few times, they won’t only accept the new concept, they will be excited about it.”
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