$500-Mil WorldPark Developer Unfazed By Election Rejection

AURORA, CO-More than a week after losing a crucial vote to annex a proposed $500- million project to this city east of Denver, developer Chris Fellows says he is trying to make the best of what he considers an unfortunate situation.

He points out the Arapahoe County Planning Commission had modified its master plan to accommodate WorldPark’s development. “We are going to push ahead to build WorldPark under the jurisdiction of Arapahoe County,” Fellows says.

Fellows had wanted to tap Aurora utilities for his WorldPark development that would include an automobile racetrack, a drag strip, commercial development and a Native American center. Fellows had wanted Aurora voters to overturn an ordinance, adopted last year that prohibits motor sports in city limits.

“We are disappointed, but not discouraged,” Fellows told GlobeSt.com. “It’s a continued commitment for WorldPark.” Fellows blamed the New York City owners of a competing racetrack in Colorado Springs for financing a campaign against his project in 1999 and this year.

“A last-minute, heavily funded campaign filled with lies and distortions won a year go in Aurora and the effort was duplicated (Nov. 7),” Fellows says. “It’s unfortunate that outsiders are able to determine land use and tax policies for Aurorans.” Fellows says the no vote on his project only makes him more determined. WorldPark is poised for a “successful beginning,” he says.