DDA Approves $100M for Denver Projects: Here’s What It Means

“Being selected for this loan feels like a celebration of the journey we’ve shared with our customers, team members and partners over the past eight years, and we are thrilled to begin a new chapter in Denver,” said Molly LaBrecque, director of administration at Sundae Artisan Ice Cream.

The Colorado-based ice cream chain recently received $750,000 from the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to expand and locate a flagship store on Glenarm Plaza. This funding was part of the DDA board’s unanimous approval of $100 million towards a new package of projects within downtown Denver on July 30. 

With this funding, Sundae Artisan Ice Cream will be able to open a location where guests walking along 16th Street can view the store’s “waffle cone theater,” where its ice cream cones are made, as well as how the store’s ice cream is produced. Interactive classes will also be offered at the flagship store.

“These small, interactive classes invite guests to explore the science behind the flavors at Sundae,” LeBrecque said. “Led by our ice cream experts, participants will learn about the ingredient structure of ice cream, experiment with flavors and design their very own ice cream flavor. Everyone leaves with pints of their custom flavor, plus a class booklet and recipe card to recreate it at home. Beyond classes, we’ll continue drawing guests in through unique new menu offerings, rotating flavors and community-centered events.”

The DDA’s allocations of funding represent the city’s efforts at transforming downtown Denver into an inclusive and livable area. The DDA’s “Plan of Development” was adopted in December of 2024 and is claimed to be the guide to its revitalization strategies, taking input from downtown residents and businesses. Applications for future funding are now available on the DDA’s home page with information on eligibility requirements and the review process.  

“The DDA has a strong vision for the future of downtown, and we believe our project stood out because of its community focus and potential to create a destination experience,” LeBrecque said. “We also believe our successful track record of launching new locations and our alignment with Denver’s revitalization goals were viewed positively by the DDA.”

Milk Tea People, a cafe specializing in crafting tea-based beverages, was also one of the several businesses that received funding from DDA. The business was loaned $640,000 to relocate to a more visible location along 16th Street after being recently ranked “Best Tea Shop in Denver” by Westword.

“When we first started, our commitment was simple: to serve this community and the people who make it so special,” wrote founders Kevin Ung & Timothy Gardner on August 1 in a statement on its website. “That promise has never wavered, and this expansion will allow us to double down on that commitment. This loan is a serious commitment we are embracing. It allows us to make significant investments in our future and remain true to our core values, and we’ll be actively repaying the DDA as we grow.”

The world’s first immersive repertory theater also received funding from the DDA and is currently under construction until its doors open in March 2026 on 15th Street. Denver Immersive Repertory Theater founder Steve Wargo explained how the $400,000 investment will contribute to the building’s current financial situation.

“Our renovation/redesign of the retail space at the former Patagonia flagship store will cost in excess of $750K, so the DDA loan will cover roughly 50% of that part of our $2 million startup costs,” Wargo said in a written statement to Bucket List. 

Downtown businesses are not the only ones benefiting from this recent decision from the DDA, as housing projects, redevelopment opportunities and public spaces are all receiving millions of dollars in investments. 

The Symes Building has received $17 million in funding, and the University Building has received $14.5 million to both finance an office-to-residential conversion, unlocking over 100 units of new housing along 16th Street. The DDA has also purchased two parking lots on both sides of Glenarm Place for $23 million, furthering the transformation of the 16th Street area.

Public spaces like Skyline Park and the McNichols Building will be designating their investments from the DDA towards renovations and improvements in accessibility, receiving $5 million and $7 million, respectively. Civic Center Park was the public space project to collect the single largest allocation from the DDA in its first round of funding, with an investment of $30 million, financing upgraded infrastructure, new lighting and garden walkways and an expanded tree canopy. 

“As the nonprofit steward and fundraising arm of the park, Civic Center Conservancy has long championed the park as a vital gathering place where millions of Denverites and visitors come for culture, community, and connection,” the organization said in a statement. “This investment underscores the importance of Civic Center Park to Denver’s future and reflects the trust placed in Civic Center Conservancy to help shape and sustain the heart of our downtown.”

While some applauded the investment, others online criticized the city for providing funding to arts and culture organizations at a time when the downtown area is experiencing an economic downturn, arguing that the DDA should prioritize better management and policy before “money disappears with little to show for it.”

Despite this skepticism, businesses such as Sundae Ice Cream believe they can thrive in the newly renovated downtown area.

“This level of investment gives small businesses like ours the opportunity to thrive in a large city,” LeBrecque said. “We believe every project was carefully chosen by the DDA to make downtown Denver more vibrant.”