The City of Westminster is not usually in the business of using city funds to rebuild a business. But in the case of the old Rodeo Market property at 3915 W. 73rd Ave., the city council this week made an exception.
Councilors voted to approve spending over $4.3 million to renovate the Rodeo Market to make way for a tap room called The Barque. The actual cost to the city is estimated to be $3,966,375 after the The Barque’s owners reimburse the city $391,058 for tenant improvements.
The tenants – Ed and Kyle Knudson – also run the Barquentine Brewing Company in the Edgewater Marketplace.
The cost of the market’s renovation also includes needed improvements to the adjacent Westminster Grange and Valente Humanitarian Park, according to a city staff report to the council.
The fate of the Rodeo Market buildings has been debated in Westminster for several years. The structure dates back to the mid-1950s and was the city’s first supermarket. The city purchased the building in 2004, and, in 2006, it became listed as a historic landmark by the State and local Historic Landmark Boards, the report states.
Community asset
Councilors who voted to hire WCG Construction for the renovation said that the old market building along with the Grange and park have fallen into disrepair and needs rejuvenation.
“Many of these improvements need to happen because it is our property,” Councilor David DeMott said. “This is a community asset, and this is piece of the community.”
“We have a responsibility to take care of this building,” added Councilor Clare Carmelia. The contract agreement, Carmlia said, should be celebrated.
Critics say the city should not be using tax dollars to help the renovation of private businesses.
Jim Fenimore told the council the renovation funds – which will come largely through the city’s capital improvement fund – should be used to help improve neighborhood fire stations. “…$4.5 million going toward a private business is not proper for the city to be doing,” Fenimore said.
Councilor Kristine Ireland cast the lone dissenting vote, saying the pub does not have enough parking. Also, she said, “the cost is my concern.”
The Barque owner Ed Knudson told the council he appreciates the size of the city’s investment in his enterprise. “We really don’t consider this as a restaurant…it’s more of a community gathering place. We consider this an amazing opportunity for us.”
Dino Valente – whose grandfather was the building’s original tenant – told the city council the cost of renovation is substantial. But the other alternative of razing the building “would be bad.”
“I know this is a painful pill to swallow,” added Valente, “But there is no question this will put a spark in the neighborhood.”