Denver, Colo. – June 21, 2017 – Oneida Park, a neighborhood retail center spanning both sides of the pedestrian-friendly Oneida Street between 22nd & 23rd Ave. in historic Park Hill, today announced a $10M redevelopment plan to transform the sleepy retail center into a vibrant neighborhood gathering place. Despite being one of Denver’s largest and most venerable residential neighborhoods, Park Hill lacks a walkable urban center, and the Oneida Park redevelopment aims to become the neighborhood’s gathering place for residents offering a variety of curated restaurants, retail operators and an outdoor venue to host various local events. The project will take shape this year and is expected to be completed in early 2018.
“Park Hill is one of the great city neighborhoods in Denver’s urban core and continues to draw new residents to the area, yet it lacks the retail amenities that other neighborhoods offer,” said Todd Snyder, a principal of the Oneida Park development. “Our hope for Oneida Park is to create a neighborhood gathering place for the Park Hill community and surrounding areas by offering affordable local restaurants, services and community events - a place residents can walk or ride their bike to with their family and friends to enjoy a great meal, to run a quick errand or to spend a few hours at an outdoor event. We hope the Park Hill community will support the local businesses and be proud of what Oneida Park represents to the Park Hill community.”
The project will reimagine the 1950’s-built Oneida Park shopping center and feature a 7,000 square foot outdoor courtyard oasis and children’s play area flanked on three sides by local restaurants offering outdoor patios for patrons. This shared space will allow patrons to relax and enjoy a coffee, a meal, or a cocktail while their children play within an eyes and ears distance – a first of its kind in Denver. The courtyard will also host special events like farmer’s markets, musical and performing arts exhibits as well as seasonal attractions throughout the year.
Ownership also announced that Esters Neighborhood Pub and a new, yet to be named ice cream concept by Little Man Ice Cream group will anchor the Oneida Park courtyard. Ownership is seeking a coffee shop to round out the courtyard tenant list.
"We are excited to be bringing our next concept to the vibrant Park Hill community at Oneida Park,” said Paul Tamburello, owner of the Little Man Ice Cream group. “I have a special affinity and personal connection to this neighborhood and look forward to creating a place where residents can connect with friends and family and enjoy the sweeter things in life."
Other tenants currently occupying space at Oneida Park include Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center, Oneida Liquors, Spicy Thai, Famous Philly Cheese Steak & Beer Garden, Desmond Bar & Grill, Allegra Pizza and Zen Dog Spa, most of which will remain. The development will offer ample parking onsite as well as free parking on Oneida Street.
“We created Esters to be a welcome member of the neighborhood that serves great food and craft beer to families and friends, and we couldn’t be more excited to become part of the Oneida Park and the Park Hill community,” said Paul Sullivan, owner of Ester’s Neighborhood Pub, who owns and operates the first Ester’s location in Virginia Village. He plans to open in Oneida Park in 2018. “When we began looking to expand into another location, we thought Todd and his team did an excellent job designing Oneida Park to retain the character of the neighborhood while creating modern features like the kids play area and courtyard, landscaping and lighting that will draw members of the community to the location.”
Todd Snyder and Rick Firmine, local real estate investors, purchased the property earlier this year and are working with Dig Studio, a local, award winning landscape architecture firm for the courtyard and Ware Malcomb for the civil engineering. Oneida Park’s design aesthetic will embrace mid-century modern design elements dating back to when Oneida Park was originally built. To add to the community oriented design concept, Denver School of the Arts (DSA) students will paint a mural on the north exterior wall of the 23rd Avenue-facing building and will be hosting performances in the courtyard throughout the year.
Todd Snyder, also a commercial real estate broker with NAI Shames Makovsky will be marketing the property for lease. Only five retail opportunities from 600 to 1,600 square feet remain available for lease.