RFQ – City of Thornton – The Market at 88th Mixed Use Development Opportunity
A Transformational Mixed-Use Opportunity in the North Denver Metro
The City of Thornton, in partnership with the Thornton Development Authority (TDA), is seeking a qualified development partner to lead the redevelopment of the former Thornton Shopping Center (“Market at 88th”) into a vibrant, mixed-use destination that will serve as a catalyst for reinvestment in South Thornton.
Located at the highly visible intersection of Washington Street and 88th Avenue, the 15-acre site represents one of the most significant infill redevelopment opportunities in the north Denver metropolitan area. The property has been cleared and is publicly controlled, creating a rare “blank slate” environment for a thoughtfully designed, mixed-use development.
Vision: A Walkable, Retail-Driven Community Destination
The City envisions a signature placemaking destination—not a conventional strip center—anchored by a strong retail core and supported by residential and complementary uses.
Key elements include:
- A walkable, mixed-use district integrating retail, residential, and community uses
- A high-quality public realm with plazas, outdoor dining, and gathering spaces
- Experiential retail and dining that creates a destination environment
- Market-rate residential to support long-term retail viability
- A phased, market-responsive development strategy
The City of Thornton, in partnership with the Thornton Development Authority (TDA), is seeking a qualified development partner to lead the transformation of the former Thornton Shopping Center site into a vibrant, mixed-use destination that serves as a catalyst for reinvestment in South Thornton.
Located at the prominent intersection of Washington Street and 88th Avenue, the 15-acre site represents one of the City’s most visible redevelopment opportunities. The site has been fully cleared, with all existing buildings removed, creating a true “blank slate” for redevelopment.
The Thornton Development Authority is actively advancing environmental remediation efforts and will address associated environmental conditions as part of site preparation. This approach is intended to significantly reduce development risk and streamline the path to vertical development for a selected partner.
The City and TDA envision a high-quality, phased redevelopment that introduces a mix of uses, enhances the public realm, and establishes a strong sense of place. While the site is currently zoned General Commercial
(GC), the City is pursuing a Planned Development Overlay (PD-O) to provide flexibility in land use, site design, and development standards to support a cohesive mixed-use environment.
Recognizing current market conditions, the City is prepared to partner with a developer to bridge the gap between today’s market realities and the long-term vision for the site. The property is located within an Urban Renewal Area (URA), providing access to potential public financing tools and incentives to support redevelopment.
The City is seeking a development team with the experience, financial capacity, and vision to deliver a catalytic project that is both economically viable and aligned with the City and TDA’s broader goals for placemaking, economic development, and community identity.