Lowry, Denver facts for kids
Lowry is a cool neighborhood located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado. It's a special place because it used to be a big Air Force Base! Today, it's a lively community with homes, schools, and parks. You can even find a branch of the U.S. Post Office here (with ZIP Code 80230) and a campus for the University of Northern Colorado.
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What is Lowry?
Lowry is more than just a neighborhood; it's a planned community built on the land where Lowry Air Force Base once stood. After the base closed, the area was carefully redeveloped. This means old buildings were given new purposes, and new homes and businesses were built. It's a great example of how a large military site can be transformed into a thriving civilian area.
From Air Force Base to Neighborhood
The story of Lowry is quite interesting! For many years, it was home to the Lowry Air Force Base. This base was an important training center for the U.S. Air Force. Thousands of people lived and worked there, learning skills like photography, missile maintenance, and electronics.
Why Did Lowry Air Force Base Close?
In the 1990s, the U.S. Department of Defense decided to close many military bases across the country. This was part of a plan to save money and make the military more efficient. Lowry Air Force Base was one of the bases chosen to close. The official closing happened in 1994.
How Lowry Transformed
After the base closed, leaders in Denver had a big idea: turn the old base into a new neighborhood. This was a huge project! They worked to reuse many of the existing buildings. For example, the old Lowry Firehouse, which once protected the base, has been changed into a learning center called Colorado Free University. This shows how old places can get new life.
Life in Lowry Today
Today, Lowry is a busy and friendly place. It has a mix of different types of homes, from apartments to houses. There are also many schools, parks, and places to shop and eat. It's designed to be a walkable community, meaning you can often walk or bike to places you need to go.
Education and Learning in Lowry
Lowry is a hub for learning. Besides the public schools, it's home to a satellite campus of the University of Northern Colorado. This means students can take college classes right in the neighborhood. The Colorado Free University, located in the old firehouse, also offers many different classes for people of all ages who want to learn new things or explore hobbies.
