Former paper mill demolished in Denver

Demolition began on a former paper mill in Denver, marking the beginning of a $1.1. billion, city-led project, a report by the Denver Post says. The former International Paper mill is set to be replaced with the National Western Center campus.

The National Western Center is a 250-acre campus that aims to turn the area into a year-round tourism, event, education and agricultural innovation center. The International Paper site was the first property bought by the city to assemble the campus. The report says the city spent $6 million on the property in October 2015.

The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo’s annual run will continue at the space once the project is complete. The report says the campus is expected to host 100 more events per year.

A backhoe operator began tearing down the International Paper building Nov. 3 after Mayor Michael Hancock used the equipment to tear an old sign off the structure. Once the backhoe completed its portion of the demolition, city officials join project partners to swing sledgehammers into the building.

The center is scheduled to be open and operational in 2021, the report says.