Publisher’s Notebook: Greeley gains momentum

Greeley defies expectations.

In fact, the Northern Colorado community celebrates that fact with its “Greeley Unexpected” campaign — a far more effective slogan than the old “Greeley … Great. From the Ground Up.”

Greeley — named for famed newspaperman Horace Greeley — surprises some visitors expecting a combination of a cow town and an oilfield. While it’s true that the energy sector has helped create an economic boom in the city, and while agribusiness remains a critical sector of the economy, Greeley celebrates an increasingly diverse mix of industries and amenities. (And, no, the city does not have feedlots outside the courthouse.)

SPONSORED CONTENT

Empowering communities

Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RMHP), part of the UnitedHealthcare family, has pledged its commitment to uplift these communities through substantial investments in organizations addressing the distinct needs of our communities.

Greeley does, however, have momentum. The Greeley metropolitan statistical area — encompassing all of Weld County — ranked as the No. 4 fastest-growing MSA in the country for gross domestic product last year, and the city has now surpassed 100,000 population.

As Doug Storum reports in this edition, major redevelopments are occurring in Greeley’s downtown, long the scene of vacant storefronts and lonely streetscapes.

Hensel Phelps Construction Co. and the city are finalizing a deal to build a new, 150- to 200-room hotel and conference center north of Lincoln Park.

The city of Greeley plans to build a new city hall. The hotel and city hall projects will spur other relocations downtown, including the library and fire-department headquarters.

A broad range of other projects are planned downtown, including work at the Jerome Building, more Weld County workers moving to the now-county-owned Chase Plaza building, a mystery project involving the Richardson family at Eighth Avenue and 16th Street, and many others.

Greeley business icon and downtown booster Bob Tointon notes that some projects downtown remain a struggle, but there’s a growing confidence evident in officials and civic leaders. Longtime restaurants such as the Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant have been joined by newer arrivals such as the Greeley Chop House, Moody’s American Grill and Right Coast Pizza.

Patrick’s Irish Pub, The Mad Cow and WeldWerks Brewing are popular hangouts, and entertainment venues such as the Moxi Theater and The Kress Cinema & Lounge bring audiences downtown.

Greeley’s downtown took a leap forward in 2012, when the city voted to allow open containers in one part of downtown on Friday evenings in the summer. Additionally, streetscape improvements along Eighth Avenue, with new medians and landscaping, are making the downtown area more inviting.

Elsewhere in the city, unexpected pleasures await. I’ve had numerous people comment to me that they are impressed with Pelligrini Ristorante Italiano-Bar, which in 2012 took over space that once housed Potato Brumbaugh’s restaurant. “Who knew?” is a frequent comment, reflecting surprise that such a quality restaurant exists in Greeley.

I’ve mentioned in a previous column the Greeley Blues Jam, which brings thousands of blues fans to the city. Visitors to that event and the larger Greeley Stampede increasingly see a city with a mix of arts, entertainment, dining options — and confidence.

Eventually, if the momentum continues, the unexpected could become the norm, and Horace Greeley’s admonition to “Go west, young man” could be transformed for Front Range visitors looking east instead.

Christopher Wood can be reached at 303-630-1942, 970-232-2133 or via email at cwood@bizwestmedia.com.