Stapleton Redevelopment

The redevelopment of 4,700 acres of a former airport in the heart of a major city requires expertly planned infrastructure. Matrix has been an integral part of the Stapleton redevelopment team since the project began in 1999.

Stapleton is the largest urban infill project in the nation, emphasizing city living and urban design within a transit oriented development framework. Matrix provided overall infrastructure planning, environmental and programming consulting services to the City and County of Denver, Park Creek Metro District, and Forest City Stapleton, and continues work at Stapleton today.

Matrix is currently working on a number of subdivisions within the development providing creative solutions that allow the developer to build infrastructure on an as-needed basis, while still meeting immediate market-driven demands. This is achieved by phasing the project that creates standalone infrastructure that can be integrated into the overall development infrastructure at the appropriate time.

Matrix also leads the effort on the water resource solutions and was the prime consultant for the award winning Westerly Creek stream restoration project. Through a hybrid of stormwater engineering and an ecology-driven approach, the result was a stormwater conveyance system that demonstrates the mechanics and biological functions of a natural creek channel while benefiting urban wildlife and the residents of the Stapleton community and surrounding environs.

Additional major infrastructure design provided by Matrix includes Martin Luther King and Central Park Boulevards; Havana and Spruce Streets; 26th, 29th, 35th, and 49th Avenues; Spruce Street; and Smith Road.

Matrix provides guidance on the transit, bike, and pedestrian connections to parks, open space, neighborhoods, and employment centers, which are central to the design fabric of all Stapleton related improvements.

Matrix is also part of the Program Management team and prepared the Version "E" cost model for Forest City for the entire Stapleton project. Matrix assisted in the formation of special Districts for the project, and has continually updated financial budgets and forecasts for the program as it develops. 

Matrix Environmental Services (MES), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Matrix Design Group, also performs an important role. MES provides due diligence services, environmental investigations site, development of risk-based remedial goals, evaluation of the effectiveness of existing and proposed remedial programs in light of the development schedule, and prepared recommendations related to activities to consider prior to property purchase.

MES also provides oversight and evaluation of remediation programs for compliance with approved environmental standards and overall development goals, coordinating with legal counsel and state regulators to ensure proper documentation.