Nichols Partnership, headed by Randy Nichols of Denver, has found support from the Cherry Creek Steering Committee--an advisory board to the council and the Cherry North Neighborhood Association. The Denver Country Club Neighborhood to the west--one of the region's most exclusive--wants the project downsized. They've already hired several law firms to launch a legal attack if council OKs the zoning change. They are calling for building heights not to exceed about 85 feet.

Proponents argue that of all the proposals floated over the years, this is by far the best. They say it will bring a hotel as well as an office building that would serve as the new headquarters for the Janus family of mutual funds, which currently is based within blocks of the project site.

Proponents fear Cherry Creek North could lose Janus, which is considered an excellent corporate neighbor and sponsor of area events. Many of the Janus employees come to work early and leave in late evening or mid-afternoon so there is little impact on traffic congestion during rush hour. And a hotel's around-the-clock hours also wouldn't add that much to rush hour traffic, those in favor argue.