Warbird Information Exchange

(CBS4) DENVER A plan for saving the Wings Over The Rockies museum at Lowry is drawing criticism from homeowners in the area. A developer wants to buy and demolish a vacant hangar next to the museum.

The money would be used for needed museum renovations, but it's what will replace the vacant hangar that's raising concern. The developer is proposing to build 300 condos on the site.

Two rundown hangers at Lowry are holdovers from when the Air Force owned the site. Number Two is in the worst condition and vacant. Next to it, Number One, is home to the Wings Over The Rockies museum, also plagued with problems.

"Really, we're managing by crisis all too often," the museum's Greg Anderson said to Lowry residents at a public meeting as he showed them pictures of soaked ceiling tiles, and huge puddles on the floor from rainstorms. "Quite frankly, it's just grown beyond our ability to take care of."

Repairing the leaking roof on Hangar Number One is quite costly. So the decision was made; to save Number One, they must sell Number Two.

A developer wants to demolish the hangar and build 300 condos on the six acre site.

Hal Hillmeyer and his wife Colleen typify the neighborhood opposition.

"My main opposition to it is the density," Hal said. "I think the traffic would be horrendous."

"As I understand it, when we all moved in here, none of the buildings were to be more than four stories," Colleen said. "This is going to be an eight story building."

Cash raised from the sale of Number Two will help cover $7 million in needed repairs on Number One.

"We've arranged the site so all the new development celebrates and accentuates all the important features of Hangar One," developer Brad Buchanan said.

But appeasing the community may be more difficult.

"I just don't know if I'm willing to have that in my backyard," Hal said.

Both hangars are in the Lowry Historic District. The redevelopment cannot occur without approval from the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission.

The commission will take up the issue at a meeting February 6.

Found it here.
http://cbs4denver.com/entertainment/loc ... 60325.html

I just joined Wings two weeks ago, and also joined the ranks as a Aircraft Restoration Volunteer. Went in last Saturday, worked on the F-86H and helped move exhibits around, in general in had a pleasant time.

They are in the process of removing the ceiling tiles in Hangar 1 (museum), and installing a new fire extinguishing system. Currently, Hangar 2 is used as a big storage locker.

I always thought that the Hangars were protected as landmarks. Since, I do not live in Denver proper, I can only hope that the city steps up and provides funds to keep Hangar 2 as is. But, after watching Miegs get carved up, I guess that anything is possible protected or not. I'll definately post some pictures, next time I'm there.