Prairie Center

Prairie Center is a master planned, multi-use complex that is still under construction and likely will be for a decade. It will eventually have a residential community, entertainment complex, parks, and a nature preserve.

Phase One was the retail center, which consists of 400 acres of retail shops anchored by a Super Target and Home Depot. Currently the list of stores and restaurants, in addition to Super Target and Home Depot, that are open are; Kohl’s, PetSmart; Office Depot, Dollar Tree, Buffalo Wild Wings, Michael’s, Chilis, Famous Footwear, Taco Bell and Lowes (in Prairie Center North).

Included in Phase One is a 12 building pedestrian mall called The Streets at Prairie Center. Establishments here are Subway, Heidi's Brooklyn Deli, Quizno's, GNC, Elite Nails, Verizon, Sprint and Dental One. More will follow as there are still plenty of vacancies.

Phase Two (of five), which includes more retail shops is currently under construction. Already completed and open is a JC Pennys. A Dick’s Sporting Good store is nearing completion and scheduled for opening this summer.

The center piece for Prairie Center is an incredible water feature at the intersection of Prairie Center Parkway and 144th Ave. The feature is an approximately 50 foot tall mountain of rocks and boulders, capped by a bronze statue of an eagle in flight. Cascading down the rocks are two streams, emptying into the base.

The eagle is the symbol of Prairie Center as near by Barr Lake is a bird sanctuary and home to at least one nesting pair of Bald Eagles each spring. Plans are for a 65 acre wildlife sanctuary in heart of the complex when it is completed. It is currently being called Prairie Lakes Regional Wildlife Sanctuary and Reservoir.

With the exception of The Streets, Prairie Center is not terribly pedestrian friendly. Each area is anchored by a large retail “name”, with a few smaller ones connected. Then the next area is at least a quarter mile away. It is easier to drive. But, that is small potatoes compared to convenience of having all of these shops and restaurants in one general area. This lack of shopping has been a complaint of the Brighton area for decades. This complaint is rapidly falling on deaf ears thanks to Prairie Center.

Construction for the residential area has not started. While the devolpers of Prairie Center are looking forward to this. Most current residents of Brighton think the town is large enough.