EPS provides rigorous analysis and insightful solutions to address complex challenges in real estate development, land use policy, and local government finance. We are motivated by the role our work can play in shaping places where people live and we strive to create high-quality urban environments that advance the principles of diversity, resiliency, and shared prosperity.
EPS offers a wealth of experience, robust technical expertise, and the ability to offer insightful solutions to address the challenges and opportunities of urban development.
When the Denver Broncos, under new ownership, announced plans for a $4B stadium, Denver’s Mayor simultaneously announced a commitment to retain sports teams within the city. Given that the new stadium is privately funded, the net economic upside is sizeable, among other benefits of maintaining the team within Denver. Finding an urban site of 100+ acres that can accommodate use of this intensity was challenging. The State, City, and Broncos identified a unique opportunity to build a stadium and entertainment district centered on Burnham Yard, located less than a mile from Downtown Denver.
As part of a team that included HDR, Perkins & Will, and Dig Studio, EPS supported the City of Denver on a Small Area Plan to establish land use, housing, and economic recommendations for the Burnham Yard area prior to the stadium’s construction. The plan covered the abandoned railyard where the stadium and entertainment district will be built as well as the adjacent neighborhoods, which are some of the oldest and most culturally significant areas of Denver. EPS’s recommendations focused on housing affordability and anti-displacement, preservation of industrial land and jobs near the stadium site, and support for small businesses to ensure that the investment brought by the stadium will benefit local residents. EPS also worked closely with the City to update Blueprint Denver’s Future Places and Neighborhood context maps, which form the basis for City land use planning, to reflect the change anticipated for the stadium site while protecting surrounding neighborhoods from excess redevelopment pressure. The Small Area Plan is scheduled to go before Denver City Council in winter 2026/2027, with final approval expected in early 2027. Read more here.
On September 22, 2026, the Atascadero City Council unanimously adopted the comprehensive 2045 General Plan Update. Shaped by a multi-year public engagement process and extensive technical analysis, the Plan provides a framework guiding growth, conserving resources, strengthening the local economy, and investing in infrastructure. It addresses land use, economic development, mobility, recreation and open space, public services and infrastructure, and emergency preparedness.
As an economic and fiscal advisor to the City and consultant team, EPS analyzed the demographic, economic, real estate, and fiscal conditions shaping Atascadero’s future. EPS also estimated the fiscal effects of the Plan’s land use program and projected buildout, helping the City align its long-range growth strategy with fiscal sustainability. This work gave decision-makers a clearer understanding of how planning choices could affect the City’s economy, revenues, and public services over time.
EPS is proud to have supported Atascadero in connecting its community vision with economic and fiscal planning. Following adoption of the General Plan and certification of its Environmental Impact Report, the City will move forward with implementation, including updates to the Zoning Code. EPS looks forward to seeing Atascadero build on its strengths and advance a vibrant, fiscally sustainable future.
Find the adopted 2045 Atascadero General Plan Update here: https://records.atascadero.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=139376&dbid=0&repo=Atascadero
