May 23, 2005
A creativity
collaboration occurred last week at the first Culture Community Commerce (C3)
Conference, presented by the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs, the Colorado
Council on the Arts and the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts. The
two-day event brought together a broad spectrum of leaders to explore the
role of the arts in strengthening Colorado's economy and civic communities.
Business leaders, economic development professionals, city planners, university
administrators, cultural leaders and elected officials attended a variety
of forums exploring best practices that incorporate creativity and the arts
into our businesses and daily lives.
Friday's Keynote conversation with authors and academics Richard Florida and Joel Kotkin presented a vast array of ideas about the changing roles of cities and suburbs and what it will take in the coming decades for regions to stay competitive as attractive places for families and businesses. The Denver Metro Chamber Foundation hosted a pre-conference event with Joel Kotkin as part of its annual Leadership Denver Alumni Association Spring Forum. Joel is an expert on the history of cities through the ages and the common themes that connect them. In his new book The City, a Global History, he explains the key ingredients of cities as places sacred, safe and busy. His perspectives, as well as those of Peter Park, Director of Planning for the City of Denver, regarding how the FasTracks transit improvements will change our core cities and neighborhoods, provided much food for thought.
A common theme of the conference was how to create new urban town centers that meet the changing needs and desires of our rapidly changing population. I was pleased to serve as moderator for a panel that highlighted one of the metro area's recent success stories, the development of Lakewood's BelMar community. Lakewood Mayor Steve Burkholder, Mark Falcone of Continuum Partners and Mike Rock, Lakewood's City Manager discussed how, guided by a theme of creativity and partnership, Lakewood created a new center of life for the city out of the former Villa Italia Mall. These "urban alchemists" reflected on the role of the community and the importance of dedication to a common vision by all involved. Creativity and the arts are incorporated in every aspect of the new center which is rapidly becoming a model for city redevelopment.
When we speak of economic and business development, we take for granted the communities, neighborhoods and human experiences that are the end result of many of these projects. It is good to be reminded of how important creative vision, careful planning, strong partnerships and leadership are to ensure outcomes of which we can be proud, such as Lowry, Stapleton and BelMar. Congratulations to the visionary planners and sponsors who made the C3 conference a success.
Best regards,
Joe Blake
Chamber President & CEO
