Company to protesters: 'We build buildings'
Abortion protesters' attempts to disrupt Weitz Co.'s construction projects haven't stopped the company from completing work or landing new jobs; rather, the contractor says, they have fostered a sense
By John Rebchook, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published June 27, 2008 at 10:10 p.m.
Do you agree with Bill Hornaday that constructing the Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains is a business decision and not a moral one?
Photo by Linda Mcconnell / Special To The Rocky
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains
Photo by Judy Dehaas / The Rocky/2007
1001 17th St.
North Creek phases I, II, III
Snowmass Base Village, first phase
The Streets at Southglenn
Lincoln Station
General contractor Bill Hornaday's Thanksgiving Day dinner last year was interrupted by what he calls "anti-abortion zealots" picketing his house in Greenwood Village.
They held signs and loudly chanted that Hornaday, president of the Rocky Mountain division of the Weitz Co., was deciding whether unborn children live or die.
The protests were part of a string of attempts to disrupt the company's business because it was constructing a $6.5 million headquarters building for the Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains near Stapleton, which opens next month.
Hornaday said he has never seen anything like the attacks on his business and fellow executives in 30 years of constructing commercial buildings along the Front Range.
"What we do is build buildings," Hornaday said. "We should not, nor should anyone, have to be subject to the kind of economic terrorism we were. That is just not right."
Attempts to scuttle construction failed, he said. In fact, Hornaday contends, the picketing, the spam and the harassing phone calls brought his team and subcontractors closer together, creating a sense of esprit de corps.
Will Duffy, head of a group called Colorado Families Against Planned Parenthood, makes no apologies, comparing the Weitz executives to those who helped Nazis build gas chambers.
"I think if a building company is building a gas chamber that is going to be used to kill innocent people and take part of evil at that level, they are collaborators," Duffy said.
"Protesters would be looked at as heroes, if you looked back and found them protesting the companies that build gas chambers during the Nazi Holocaust," he added.
Duffy estimated his group staged 50 to 75 protests against Weitz during the past 10 months, with more on the way.
"I would say 90 percent of them were at their homes," he said. "They're the decision-makers, and they took the job and they're building it. They hired the subcontractors."
Duffy said they also spent some time at the site, protesting and talking to workers.
"Some of them didn't even know what they were building," Duffy said. "We convinced some subcontractors to walk off the site."
A Weitz spokesman said one subcontractor "decided not to participate" and was replaced the next day.
Project ahead of schedule
Weitz took the vacant United Airlines reservation center and converted it into a 52,000-square-foot regional headquarters and flagship health center for Planned Parenthood. The building, about three blocks west of Stapleton, is scheduled to be completed within the next few weeks. Already occupied by some administration staff, the building is 89 days ahead of schedule. It replaces the headquarters on Broadway and a clinic on Vine Street.
Weitz is a 150-year-old construction company based in Des Moines, Iowa. It has built a number of high-profile buildings in the Denver area, such as RE/MAX International's world headquarters in the Tech Center, a portion of the Twenty Ninth Street shopping center in Boulder and the CH2M Hill corporate campus in Douglas County.
But in this case, publicity about the building went beyond the business pages.
"We have been on Page 2 of the Rocky Mountain News, and we've been in the Post," Duffy said. "We've been on Fox, Channel 7 and Channel 4."
He said the company has received national coverage from WorldNetDaily.com, a self-proclaimed conservative news-gathering site.
"The secular media only covers us if they can make us look bad," Duffy said. "We're OK with that."
Hornaday said he doesn't even know who is behind the protests, but they have had the opposite impact of what was intended.
"The relationships involved in this project were galvanized as a result of these events," Hornaday said. "All of us who were subject to some level of attacks were bound together, making us even more resolute and steadfast. First, we were taking care of our client and then we were taking care of our company."
The picketing at the homes of the Hornaday's house and the homes of some of the other Weitz executives, played a key role in legislators' passing a law restricting such activity in residential areas.
The main sponsor of the legislation, SB 192, was Steve Ward, a Republican from Littleton.
"I'm pro-life, but this is about peace in the neighborhood. It is not an abortion issue, and I refused to debate it in that context," Ward said.
Weitz had at least $280 million in work on high-profile projects under way when the protests began in August. But not one developer replaced Weitz after the picketing began.
"(Weitz) was well under way at Lincoln Station when the controversy broke," said Randy Schwartz, of Westfield Development Co., the developer of the ongoing transit-oriented development along T-Rex, a portion of it built by Weitz.
"One of our guys did get hit with a barrage of e-mails, but that quickly went away," Schwartz added. "We never really got any backlash."
$100 million in new jobs
And the protests didn't prevent Weitz from signing new business, another of the protesters' goals.
In fact, Weitz has begun more than $100 million in new jobs since the protests began, including a $36.13 million deal for the Streets at Southglenn, the redevelopment of the old Southglenn Mall into a new retail and residential lifestyle center.
The Southeast Business Partnership, a nonprofit group that advocates economic and job growth, supports Weitz.
"We were the first organization to step up and say this is ridiculous," said John Lay, president and CEO of the partnership. "Our view is that business is the source of employment. There are definitely some wedge issues out there, but there are more appropriate forums to try to make changes. Frankly, I do know what the politics of most of my members are."
But Duffy, head of the group that opposed Planned Parenthood, believes his group's tactics succeeded. "Nationwide, Weitz is a $1 billion-a-year company, so they're a perfect target," he said.
His group has received support from other similar organizations, such as Missionaries to the Preborn, Repent America, ProLife America and the American Life League.
Duffy also said he believes SB 192, the law restricting neighborhood protests, is probably unconstitutional, and he could see his group fighting it all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary. He said the group's lawyer is looking at the legislation.
The ACLU of Colorado neither supported nor opposed the bill.
"We were neutral on it," said Cathryn Hazouri, executive director of ACLU-Colorado. "Certainly, there are portions of it that could be unconstitutional."
She said parts of the bill have been ruled constitutional, such as requiring picketers to keep moving. However, a portion of the bill that bans large signs on trucks may be unconstitutional because it could be seen as banning content, she said.
Major protest planned
"We've got something big planned," Duffy said. "There's something called 40 Days For Life. What we're going to do is 40 days of protests," primarily in front of the homes of Weitz executives.
In January, the group sent out an e-mail saying, "Our residential protests have really had an effect on the executives of The Weitz Company. Our mission is to let them know that we will not have child killing with tranquility."
Leslie Durgin, a senior vice president of the Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, said she has heard Duffy compare Weitz to Nazis before, and she thinks that he uses that comparison so often that it largely falls on deaf ears.
"(Weitz) is delivering the building way ahead of schedule and on budget," Durgin said. "What Will Duffy defines as success beats me."
Hornaday said as soon as they took the job, they expected some picketing - at the site and their office. But he was surprised when picketing reached their homes, disturbing and upsetting neighbors - some of whom testified in front of legislators for SB 192.
"One of the first things we did was that we brought a public relations firm on board," Hornaday said.
Peter Webb, head of Webb PR, the firm hired by Weitz, said that any company facing "the anti-business tactics they tried" has to keep communications open.
For example, the protesters attempted to overload Weitz's phone lines and fill their computers with spam, Webb said. Weitz had a spam filter installed and created a voice-mail to forward harassing phone calls.
Some abortion foes stood outside Weitz's office, taking photographs of employees, so the company beefed up security. They also hired guards to patrol the Planned Parenthood building round-the-clock.
"These were distractions for us," Hornaday said. "At the end of the day, it was business as usual. They had absolutely no chance of success."
rebchookj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5207
Some of Weitz's projects
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains
* What it is: Flagship health center
* Address: 7155 E. 35th Ave.
* Completion: This month
* Contract amount: $6.5 million
* Details: Serves more than 7,000 families that live in Stapleton area. It provides HIV/AIDS testing, pregnancy testing, surgical and medical abortions.
1001 17th St.
* What it is: Giant renovation of the former Qwest headquarters building
* Address: 1001 17th St.
* Completion: May
* Contract amount: $24.5 million
* Details: Took a Class C building and turned it into an energy-efficient, Class AA building. The custom art off the 17th Street entrance is an eye-catcher.
NorthCreek phases I, II, III
* What it is: Mixed-use development that includes ultra-expensive condos, high-end retail and restaurants
* Address: 100 Detroit St.
* Contract amount: $59.25 million
* Details: Some of the most expensive condos ever built in the Denver area along a private, parklike courtyard in the heart of Cherry Creek North.
Snowmass Base Village, first phase
* What it is: The long-awaited hotel, retail and residential base at Snowmass
* Completion: August
* Contract amount: $165 million
* Details: The plan is to transform Snowmass into a world-class, year-round destination, putting it in the same league as Vail and Aspen.
The Streets at Southglenn
* What it is: A redevelopment of the former Southglenn shopping mall into a mixed-use development with retail, restaurants and apartments
* Contract amount: $36.133 million
* Completion: August 2009
* Details: Takes a "dinosaur" mall and turns it into a walkable, open-air development with a "Main Street."
Lincoln Station
* Address: 10100 Park Meadows Drive, Lone Tree
* Contract amount: $29.3 million
* Completion: Final touches being done on a basically completed phase
* Details: Almost 245,000 square feet in office buildings with retail that provide the first phase of a transit-oriented development along T-Rex
Planned Parenthood Stapleton at a glance
Address: 7155 E. 38th Ave.
Contractor: The Weitz Co., which renovated and expanded the former United Airlines reservation center Why it was built: To serve more than 7,000 families that have moved into the Stapleton area in the past few years, as well as those living in Park Hill and other surrounding neighborhoods
Size: 52,000 square feet
Cost: $6.5 million
Services available
* Surgical and medical abortions
* Annual exams and screening
for breast and cervical cancer
* HIV/AIDS testing and referrals
for follow-ups
* HPV vaccinations
* Midlife services for women,
including hormone therapy and
referrals for mammograms
* Most popular forms of
birth control
* Pap test follow-ups, colposcopy,
and cryotherapy
* Pregnancy testing and
information on all options,
including referrals for abortion,
adoption and prenatal care
* Referrals for other health issues
* Screening for high blood
pressure, high cholesterol and
other health conditions
* STD testing and treatment
Information Stapleton.community@pprm.org
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June 28, 2008
1:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
cakeckh writes:
I could only imagine the protest if he was building the Bush Library.
June 28, 2008
7:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
claudelong writes:
Come on out to my house. I'm pro-choice.
June 28, 2008
8:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
R8R_H8R writes:
I wish they'd protest at my house too. I would pepper spray the hell out of theze azzzzholez. Paint-ball guns. WAter Hose. They'll get the works. These arrogant jerks THINK they have the right to make decisions for others. That in itself is sickening. Most of these people are pedophiles. This construction company ought to routinely hose-down these s.o.b.'s. Hell, it's because of THESE PROTESTORS that so many of us are PRO-CHOICE. They should've been aborted.
Don't hide in a crowd. You have something to say? Religious FREAKS come here:
http://denver.yourhub.com/~BriansBLog
How Strong is YOUR Faith?
You want to shoot off your mouth in places that NOBODY wants to listen. Come comment on a blog where your azz-backward thinking is welcomed and even HIGH-LIGHTED.
June 28, 2008
8:39 a.m.
Suggest removal
CoLoradoCitizen writes:
IF THE POPE WERE THE C.E.O. OF A DAY CARE CENTER, HE WOULD'VE BEEN ARRESTED THE MINUTE HE HIT THE TARMAC FOR COVERING UP SO MANY CASES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ON A CHILD
BILL MAHER
June 28, 2008
8:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
CoLoradoCitizen writes:
IT'S IN THE BIBLE, SO YOU MUST FOLLOW IT:
Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. It was not Adam who deceived; it was the woman, who, yielding to deception, fell into sin...Man is the image of God, and the mirror of his glory, whereas a woman reflects the glory of man. ...man was not created for woman's sake, but woman for the sake of man... Women should keep silent at the meeting. They have no permission to talk, but should keep their place... If there is something they want to know, they can ask their husbands at home... ( 1 Corinthians 11;2-10; 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-14.)
June 28, 2008
8:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
gr8fun4me writes:
These same people more than likely don't want to pay taxes, want everyone to carry guns, and then don't want to provide health insurance to the children when they are born. They just want more people on the planet, more people is what we don't need. Have they not read the headlines lately. Food crisis all over the world, fuel shortages all over the world. They just don't get it. TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE ON THE PLANET! These people need to get a life and focus their energy in making the planet a better place to live for all the living people already here.
June 28, 2008
9:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
LuvAmerica writes:
There have always been abortions. There will always be abortions. The only question is whether they will be safe and legal.
Which does beg the question of what motivates Mr. Duffy? It's obviously nothing to do with caring about women or children. His behavior almost makes me think he actually has no interest in seeing the abortion rate reduced.
June 28, 2008
9:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
Buckwheat writes:
Surely Weitz has some sort of legal rights not to be harrassed by these people.
June 28, 2008
9:32 a.m.
Suggest removal
mytwosense writes:
As an animal rights activist, I understand that protesting raises a LOT of awareness on particular issues. It's no fun protesting, I can tell you that - people call you names, tell you to "get a life," and on and on. A lot of folks do honk as they drive by, though, and call out support. Anyway, what I'm getting at is that I applaud these people for going through all the ridicule I know they have to endure. How many on this forum actually care enough about something to get out there and publicly advocate it?
And there are constantly laws trying to be made to prevent protesters from doing so, like the horrible Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, that essentially brands protesters and activists as terrorists if the courts deem them so. They try to pass similar acts against the pro-life protesters, too.
Economics should NOT come before our rights to free speech!! Even if you don't agree with the pro-life protesters, you should protect their rights to speak out. You never know, one day you could get involved in a cause that you want to protest, and find your rights to do so have been taken away - in the name of "economics."
June 28, 2008
11:11 a.m.
Suggest removal
me2 writes:
I have often suggested that pro choice folks follow the protesters home, find out where they work, if they do, and picket them at home and at work for a month. See how long their bosses put up with their companies getting hit like this.
But most of us do not have the luxury to take this much time out of our work to protest something.
June 28, 2008
11:30 a.m.
Suggest removal
Queen_Gorgo writes:
The article makes it sound like Duffy's crew was only targeting Weitz execs.
In reality they were harassing the subcontractors as well, disturbing the children of plumbers and electricians.
June 28, 2008
11:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
stuckiniowa writes:
mytwosense -- seriously?!?!? You dont think that protesting in front of someone's house is going too far? Your right to protest impinges and supercedes the rights of everyone elses right to privacy? What about the neighbors who are disrupted simply because they live on the same block?
Just because you have the right to say or do something, doesnt make it appropriate to do so.
June 28, 2008
11:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
leslieforlife writes:
PP's euphemisms notwithstanding, their services list should
really begin with:
Human Pesticide Pills and Pre-natal Surgical Dismemberment.
June 28, 2008
1:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
Queen_Gorgo writes:
Leslie,
Planned Parenthood (nationwide and local) gets less than 10% of its revenue and patient visits from abortion. The majority of its service are related to birth control and pregnancy prevention. You oppose that too.
I saw you and your handful of extremists at the Capital for the 5/6 press conference announcing the Protect Families Protect Choices coalition opposition to amendment 48. Your behaviour was disgusting. Clearly you don't believe in constitutionally protected free speach as evidenced by your attempts to yell over all of the speakers.
June 28, 2008
4:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
Paulkarmi writes:
You build buildings. That's right and we are sick of buildings, especially ones that are etermination camps.
June 28, 2008
9:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
leslieforlife writes:
Sorry Queen,
I never uttered a word at that event.
I do embrace the 1st Amendment completely.
Sadly, I guess that even includes those who like to shout down
others.
June 28, 2008
9:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
Spockr writes:
"I wish they'd protest at my house too. I would pepper spray the hell out of theze azzzzholez. Paint-ball guns. WAter Hose. They'll get the works." - R8R_H8R
If you did that, R8R_H8R, you would be arrested, charged with assault, and would probably spend time in jail. Responding to obnoxiousness with violence is illegal. It might be different if the protesters came onto your property (that would be criminal trespass), but most "professional" protesters are more savvy than that.
June 29, 2008
9:17 a.m.
Suggest removal
mytwosense writes:
stuckiniowa: "mytwosense -- seriously?!?!? You dont think that protesting in front of someone's house is going too far? Your right to protest impinges and supercedes the rights of everyone elses right to privacy? What about the neighbors who are disrupted simply because they live on the same block?
Just because you have the right to say or do something, doesnt make it appropriate to do so."
Your points are certainly valid. But, I honestly think some issues merit such drastic measures. I really can't speak for the pro-life protesters, but as an animal rights activists, I am well-educated on some of the horrific abuses animals undergo. If an individual at a company is directly involved in the decision-making that results in those cruel practices, I fully support protesting in front of their residence.
June 29, 2008
2:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
CoLoradoCitizen writes:
Me2 had a GREAT IDEA. FOLLOW THE PROTESTORS HOME. Harrass them at their house. Let them lose their privacy and their neighbors too.
June 29, 2008
9:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
cleekmaker00 writes:
I'm sorry... this is one of the most ludicrous things I have seen in a long time. This is a construction company we're talking about here. What's their job? To construct whatever it is they have a contract to build. To even insinuate that this company is constructing this building solely on the premise that they (as a whole) are driven by who the tenant is and what they believe in is so narrow minded that it defies logic. They are in the business of constructing buildings, nothing more. Don't automatically brand this company just because the
end tenant just happens to be Planned Parenthood. Who are you to judge their motives? Do me a favor... GET A LIFE!
July 2, 2008
12:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
newshound writes:
I agree. The construction company is contracted to build a building, thats it. Quit harassing these people because they have a job. Maybe you should spend more time contributing to our economy instead of taking 40 days off work to protest a company who is providing labor. Protest Planned Parenthood all you want, but leave these people and their families alone. All of these people should be cited for harassment and have restraining orders against them.