Biotech center in Colorado faces obstacles, moves on

$4.3 billion Fitzsimons project stays the course despite some setbacks

Fitzsimons, the $4.3 billion biotech and medical science mecca, is hitting some potholes on the road to becoming a medical mini-municipality.

Medical school construction has yet to start because of a legal snarl. The Veterans Affairs hospital’s move to Fitzsimons is in question. And the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, a quasi-governmental entity charged with developing the bioscience park, needs a wealthy partner and a new director.

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It would take far more to doom Colorado’s crown jewel, a one-of-a-kind project whose construction is already years ahead of schedule because of historically low interest rates, the executives in charge of the project say.

"There are bumps in the road," said Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer, "but you only hit the bumps if you’re continuing to move forward."

Fitzsimons has the makings of an economic powerhouse – the largest redevelopment in the country devoted solely to medical and biotech businesses and organizations.

By Rachel Brand, Rocky Mountain News

Full Story: http://www.insidedenver.com/drmn/business/article/0,1299,DRMN_4_3489494,00.html