DENVER, CO The Mayor's Office of the National Western Center announces it has selected Saunders Construction as its integrated demolition contractor to advance the adopted National Western Center (NWC) campus master plan. The purpose of this project is to provide project and property management services, procurement services, demolition, abatement, and minor site remediation services to several existing facilities that will transform the existing complex into a year-round destination for entertainment, experiential learning and research and agribusiness.

"Given the complexity of the National Western Complex redevelopment, we were pleased to find a firm with a diverse skill-set and understanding of large site, multi-building programs," said Kelly Leid, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of the National Western Center (NWCO). "Saunders Construction has been one of the region's top construction firms. We are impressed with their delivery of similar projects in the Rocky Mountain region and value their engagement approach for community and minority and women-owned businesses."

The Saunders team will operate as the prime Integrated Demolition Contractor for the National Western Center Program. Saunders will be responsible for the subcontractor procurement process for project implementation of each demolition and abatement work order. This approach allows the program team to be responsive to the needs of the site redevelopment schedule, which will be announced later this year.

"The demolition project is both a historic and crucial first step to one of the most anticipated projects in Colorado," said Justin Cooper, Saunders Vice President of Project Development. "With Colorado being our home state for over 45 years, Saunders is honored to be a part of this visionary community transformation. We look forward to partnering with all project stakeholders and the Globeville, Elyria and Swansea neighborhoods to make this a safe and successful project."

The contract capacity will be set at $18 million which also includes management of demolition work for the North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative and the Platte to Park Hill project, all of which are located within the same part of the city.  There is a Minority/Women Business Enterprise participation goal of 18 percent.

The competitive process included written submittals received from six firms and three were invited to participate in oral interviews, resulting in the selection of Saunders Construction. The contract will be presented to the Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Council Committee which would be followed by a final approval from Denver City Council.