‘Sea Hunt’ and Economic Development Among Steve Art’s Passions

Scuba diving and economic development seem a world apart, but Steve Art of Wheat Ridge enjoys one for the “peace and tranquility” it offers and the other for the opportunity to be part of a growing communityNext year, Art and his wife, Peggy, will take their next life step as he retires and the couple plans to relocate to a “Disneyland for adults” in the eastern United States, Art said.

Art was hired by the City of Wheat Ridge as economic development manager and executive director of the city’s urban renewal authority—aka Renewal Wheat Ridge—in 2011. Urban renewal involves the redevelopment of areas classified as blighted for new housing, businesses and other improvements. 

“I flew out from California one time for an interview and they offered me the job,” Art said in an interview with the Gazette. “It’s been 14 years in Wheat Ridge since then.”

An open door leads to a career and Wheat Ridge

Art was born in West Covina, California, outside Los Angeles. Now 65, Art is the youngest of three siblings. His two brothers are retired in Southern California. Art and Peggy have no children; she has three adult children from an earlier marriage.

After graduating in 1978 from Edgewood High School in West Covina, Art earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications degree in 1984 from California State University Fullerton, and a master’s in business administration degree from the University of Phoenix in 1996. 

While in California, Art made industrial videos and turned an opportunity into a career. 

“The hospital I had made some films for was sold and I was laid off,” Art recalled. “The city manager in Lincoln, California recommended I apply for an economic development job there and they hired me.”

After a decade as economic and redevelopment manager for the City of Lincoln, he was hired by Wheat Ridge.

Looking back on his many years of economic development work for Wheat Ridge, Art said he’s proud of the relationships he built with small businesses and large companies alike.

“When I came here, I was told Wheat Ridge was a place that wasn’t going to grow economically,” Art recalled. “We started talking to businesses and many of them didn’t know how to navigate the offices in city hall. So we worked on that and we’re on much better terms with the business community.”

Art also recalled urban renewal projects he helped make happen, from smaller projects like patios for restaurants to financing for large residential development.

“I guess I’d say there isn’t one single thing I’m most proud of, but the city is more economically sustainable,” he added and shared credit with city council members and city staff.

“The job is mostly marketing Wheat Ridge,” Art said. “But if someone comes in with a project we don’t think would be feasible, we tell them right away so there’s no surprises. I always say we’ll always get answers to all their questions, but they may not like the answers.”

Art’s duties also include attending meetings such as the Jefferson County Economic Development Corp., the Front Range Economic Collaborative and the Downtown Colorado, Inc. group, which he serves as board treasurer and was immediate past president.

Art also talks about urban renewal to groups and organizations across the state.

‘Sea Hunt’ leads to scuba diving

Art teaches scuba diving at Denver Divers & The Swim School of Denver,  557 Milwaukee St., in Cherry Creek North. 

Art grew interested in scuba diving as a child while watching the “Sea Hunt” syndicated TV series, which ran from 1958-61 and was popular for decades in reruns.

“I’d watch it every day after school, and I knew as soon as I turned 18 I wanted to be a certified scuba diver,” Art stated. 

He started teaching it in 2014. His scuba diving students at Denver Divers include those with disabilities.

“It’s wonderful to see them have the sensation of movement when they’re in the water,” Art said.

Art and Peggy have a “bucket list” of places to scuba dive. His two favorites so far are in the Caribbean — Cozumel, and their most recent scuba diving vacation on Cayman Brac, an island that’s part of the Cayman Islands.

“There’s such a peaceful feeling of tranquility when you’re underwater with all the sea creatures,” Art explained. “You can just float along with them, and since 71% of the world is water, there are plenty of places to go.”

Golf is another hobby, although he noted, “I’m no good at it, but I love it.”

Art’s other hobbies are yard work and woodworking. 

Relocating in near future

Art will turn 66 years old on Dec. 9 and plans to retire on Oct. 9, 2026.

“I love my job and love working; this is a great position, great community,” he stated. 

Art and Peggy plan to move to the Hilton Head, S.C., area “for the golf courses,” he added. “It’s got a lot of different things going on, kind of like a Disneyland for adults.”

Peggy sold her business in 2018, she now runs an Etsy shop and is a part-time bookkeeper for Downtown Colorado, Inc. Peggy plans to continue both once the couple relocates. 

Art will also have a woodworking shop to keep up that hobby.

“I will miss the great people who make Wheat Ridge a great community,” Art wrote in a follow-up email. “I will certainly miss being part of the team that helped many new businesses start up in our community. I just love helping others in any possible manner.”