The nonprofit Historic Denver is seeking to force preservation of a former power plant in central Denver as owner Xcel Energy’s one-month window for potential buyers to step forward apparently draws to a close.But at least one offer was submitted during that window for the Zuni Steam Plant, which operated for more than a century at 1349 Zuni St.Danny Newman, the Denver tech entrepreneur with a passion for unusual real estate, told BusinessDen that he submitted a $1 million offer for the property March 20 with the goal of saving the structure from the wrecking ball.
The hope, he said, was in part to learn what Xcel knows about how much environmental remediation will need to be done at the site and whether Xcel might be willing to contribute funds toward that work.“That’s what’s unclear to everybody at this point,” said Newman, who requested 180 days of due diligence.But the offer was declined, according to Newman.
He said Xcel is asking $7.5 million — marketing materials don’t include a dollar figure — and the company’s broker, Tyler Reed of Stream Realty, described that price as “hard and fast.”Reed declined to comment, and Xcel didn’t respond to questions.
Newman’s holdings include the top of Denver’s downtown clocktower, the city’s longest continually operating bar, and multiple churches. He said he doesn’t believe Xcel genuinely wants to make a deal.“I definitely think they are not trying and don’t want to sell it,” he said.
“It sounds.
