Preservationists and community members are seeking to save Denver's century-old Zuni Steam Plant by making it a landmark.
Historic Denver announced Friday the organization filed for a landmark designation for the steam plant on the banks of the South Platte River that once powered downtown Denver in its early days.
Landmark status could protect it from demolition.
After years of discussion between Xcel Energy, Denver officials and community stakeholders, the future of the plant south of Empower Field has been in contention since Denver waived its first rights to buy the steam plant due to high environmental cleanup costs.
Xcel said it would list it on the market in late February for a period of 30 days, before moving on to its original plan to demolish it.
A community liaison for the energy company had previously said it needed to move on with the site back when Xcel Energy first pushed Denver to make a decision on the site.
FILE PHOTO: The Zuni steam plant can be seen under a bridge along the South Platte River Trail on Aug. 2, 2024.
An Xcel spokesperson stated in an email the company is committed to work with the community and also maintain public safety for the decommissioned plant. The company also said it plans to meet with Historic Denver next Tuesday.
The steam plant is one of several key spots identified along the South Platte River as potential activations areas as city leaders work to make the riverfront more of a neighborhood amenity and a hotspot for development.
Other identified sites include Ball Arena, Empower Field and the National Western Complex.
"The REI flagship store is a hugely successful example of adaptively reusing an industrial building – indeed, one that powered Denver’s early streetcar network," Historic Denver CEO John Deffenbaugh said. "If all parties come together to figure out an approach for retaining and transferring Zuni to the private sector, this could be done again."
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