DENVER | Main Development Thread #7

[Arapahoe]

Originally Posted by SirLucasTheGreat

Is 3100 Brighton really getting started? I seem to recall finding the permitting activity to be stalled. Maybe I was not looking at the right project

a bunch of demolition permits submitted in July are in progress after approved landmark demolition review, plus a new barrier fence that I mentioned previously.

I'd consider that "getting started" if not exactly breaking ground on the development.

[Ndj]

Dat podium is dummy thicc

[bunt_q]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

This is where I'm confused- I thought that the only unfunded portions were the arena and the repurpose of the 1909 stadium. Everything else that is significant and is unfinished at this point was what was going in as part of the P3 in the Triangle such as Phase 4 – Trade Show/Exposition Hall (is it really necessary for the Stock Show portion given the size of the Livestock and Equestrian Centers?). The CSU facility was accelerated and will be fully built out which was a one of the phases and it's relocation seems to make Phase 7 redundant. What am I missing that was also cut from phases 1&2?

I'll message you on fb.

[laniroj]

Originally Posted by Arapahoe

Why do you think not having a new arena will kill the Stock Show? They filled the Coliseum with dirt and had a rodeo in there. That aint gonna to change. Construction continues on the new Stockyards Event Center. Scheduled for completion this summer, this 46,000-square-foot facility will debut at the 2022 Stock Show.

You talking out your — again? (your terminology, not mine)

Why? Because the expectation has already been set that a new western center would be delivered to the Cattlemen. The annual economic impact of this two week show is in excess of $100 million. Assuming the City gets $5 mil/year in tax collections from it (seems low to me) that's a 40 year payback. In municipal terms, that's a helluvah investment. Just because some people like or don't like what the national western center offers doesn't mean the heritage and history aren't worth preserving and won't be buzzing with people. Very disappointed more folks don't see the significance of what this offers.

Between the CSU spur, the new arena, exhibit space and a public market, this area will be filled with people just like nearly ALL of Denver's other public spaces. When was the last time you visited a public space that wasn't packed?! We need MORE public spaces not less. I'll never understand why some people think more public space is bad or not worth their tax dollars. We're trying to become a world class city and can't do that without these types of things.

[laniroj]

Originally Posted by Arapahoe

Why do you think not having a new arena will kill the Stock Show? They filled the Coliseum with dirt and had a rodeo in there. That aint gonna to change...

It will change. They will go to Texas or Las Vegas. These ranchers aren't dummies and they're not lacking resources either. I'd compare them to an NFL team - they hold a significant economic grenade as leverage.

The Calgary Stampede generates 1 million guest visits annually and Denver does about 2/3 of that. Denver could legit hold a top three world's largest rodeo with this space not to mention first nations events, maybe cater to the larger cult classics coming out of C Springs, and SO MUHC MORE. I really don't think people have the vision of what the new national western center can provide, but it HAS TO HAVE the arena to do all of this. How would all of these events and economic/cultural drivers not be an awesome outcome for our local economy?

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by Curtis Park

This is nice for the few people that use that route to commute and the weekend riders. But I wonder what they cost. $12M? For whatever they spent, I think it could have been used better to build out some high-use bike routes, like Broadway which seems to be a literal dead end. Millions of dollars is what's needed to get decent routes in Denver and I feel like these tunnels let Hancock say "Look at how we made it safe for cyclists!" But with relatively very few cyclists benefiting.

That's an interesting and fair question that I'm still trying to unpack.

I happen to be familiar with both parts of the trail at Hampden but at different points in time. In the 1970's I never cared about south of Hampden; I always rode east towards Bible Park and beyond. In the 2000's I used to walk the trail through Cherry Hills Village which is a beautiful and peaceful section of the trail.

In 2015 the High Line Canal Conservancy was created and I've been aware of their stewardship. They became the default caretaker/coordinator for the 71-mile trail that runs from Waterton Canyon in Douglas County to Green Valley Ranch in Northeast Denver. The canal itself and right-of-way is owned by Denver Water.

CDOT took primary responsibility; a NEPA was performed.

Project Cost: $5.4M, with $4.32M coming from Federal Sources and $1.08M coming from the City and County of Denver, Cherry Hills Village and Arapahoe County.

Originally Denver was only on the hook for $400,000. According to Denver website, the final cost for this project ended up at $7.2 million. By deduction I'll assume that the rest of the $12 million in costs are for the underpass at Parker Rd/Mississippi currently under construction. Not sure whether CDOT is involved, if any federal funding was secured for this project or not?

EDIT: Update

On the Mississippi/Parker underpass the original estimates were this:

Project Cost: $3.2M FASTER Funds, $1.75M from the City and County of Denver and $1.75M from Arapahoe County

So it looks like CDOT is covering not quite half the costs originally estimated at $6.7 million.

[Arapahoe]

Originally Posted by laniroj

Why? Because the expectation has already been set that a new western center would be delivered to the Cattlemen. The annual economic impact of this two week show is in excess of $100 million. Assuming the City gets $5 mil/year in tax collections from it (seems low to me) that's a 40 year payback. In municipal terms, that's a helluvah investment. Just because some people like or don't like what the national western center offers doesn't mean the heritage and history aren't worth preserving and won't be buzzing with people. Very disappointed more folks don't see the significance of what this offers.

Between the CSU spur, the new arena, exhibit space and a public market, this area will be filled with people just like nearly ALL of Denver's other public spaces. When was the last time you visited a public space that wasn't packed?! We need MORE public spaces not less. I'll never understand why some people think more public space is bad or not worth their tax dollars. We're trying to become a world class city and can't do that without these types of things.

i hear ya on the monetary side. Albeit the "public space" is fairly isolated. A low density neighborhood with the whole area surrounded by interstate and rail road tracks. Lets be real, not likely to get much foot traffic! The city's own study said the market would not be profitable.

That being said, all the new events would be a draw + CSU. I am voting for it, so kinda preaching to the choir now.

[TakeFive]

Whether parking at the Parks or barking at the Parks, Denver has you covered

In addition to the ongoing planning around Civic Center Park we have one more park in the works.

https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencie...lanning-Development/The-Outdoor-Downtown

The Outdoor Downtown is a 20-year master plan to provide the City of Denver with a visionary and actionable list of policies, programs, and projects that will make Downton's parks and public spaces world-class destinations.

Skyline Park Improvements

The Skyline Park Improvements project is underway! Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), in consultation with the Elevate Denver Bond Program and local stakeholders, is leading an effort to assess, reimagine and transform Skyline Park to once again become an iconic and vibrant civic park at the heart of downtown Denver.

This project will create a new vision for all three blocks of Skyline Park and develop a final design for construction of phase one improvements that are funded by the Elevate Denver Bond Program. In alignment with the Outdoor Downtown Plan, this plan will be driven by the foundational goals of a Social, Recreational, Connected, Cultural and Sustainable downtown.

Then there's the The Cultural Landscape Foundation


Skyline Park, Denver, CO - Photo by Susan Teare, 2019

.....
Skyline Park- Photos by Charles Birnbaum, 2001

Bottom Line: You can either get involved or howl at the moon.

[TakeFive]

With respect to the 2nd part of your question

Originally Posted by Curtis Park

This is nice for the few people that use that route to commute and the weekend riders. But I wonder what they cost. $12M? For whatever they spent, I think it could have been used better to build out some high-use bike routes, like Broadway which seems to be a literal dead end. Millions of dollars is what's needed to get decent routes in Denver and I feel like these tunnels let Hancock say "Look at how we made it safe for cyclists!" But with relatively very few cyclists benefiting.

progress which has been painfully slow continues with construction scheduled for 2022.

https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Age...ture/Programs-Services/Broadway-Mobility

Project Status: Spring 2021

The design process for the two-way protected bikeway will be complete in summer 2021, and pre-construction planning is expected to begin in late-2021 with construction anticipated to start in 2022. The bikeway will also provide other significant transportation and safety improvements for people walking, riding transit and driving on South Broadway from 7th Ave.

• Adding a raised concrete buffer and pedestrian refuge, which carves out a space for pedestrians to stop, if needed, before continuing to cross the street.
• Intersection safety, bus stop and accessibility improvements to shorten the crossing distance for people on foot and provide better connectivity to transit.
• New bike signals and rebuilding 13 traffic signals along the stretch with larger, more visible lights (red/yellow/green) as well as adding new pedestrian countdown signals to improve safety for people crossing the street on foot.
• Improvements to specific street trees and tree grates in areas impacted by construction.
• Public art to enhance the pedestrian experience along the corridor.

Rebuilding 13 traffic signals by itself is both expensive and time consuming but a year from now things should be happening fast - we hope.

Note: Funding is being provided by the Elevate Denver bond program

[Ich]

I noticed they were demolishing the warehouse on Ellsworth between Santa Fe and Kalamath. Anyone know what’s going there?

[The Dirt]

There's this - https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/de...ons/50S.Kalamath_Reception2020051351.pdf

And here's the excerpt from their concept application (2019-CONCEPT-0000260):
Former Sports Authority Warehouse Large Development Review The Property currently consists of a 213,000 SF warehouse and two parking lots totaling 1.3 acres formerly occupied by Sports Authority and has sat vacant for nearly four years now. We are contemplating a mix of residential, retail and office uses. We are seeking to rezone the block to Industrial Mixed Used 5-Story (I-MX-5), see initial bubble plan attached. We intend to activate the street level with appropriate transparency and/or retail space. Parking would also be constructed on site in the form of one or more garages. All bike and pedestrian infrastructure, which is unusable on some portions of the Property, would be updated to current city standards.

[Ich]

Originally Posted by The Dirt

There's this - https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/de...ons/50S.Kalamath_Reception2020051351.pdf

And here's the excerpt from their concept application (2019-CONCEPT-0000260):
Former Sports Authority Warehouse Large Development Review The Property currently consists of a 213,000 SF warehouse and two parking lots totaling 1.3 acres formerly occupied by Sports Authority and has sat vacant for nearly four years now. We are contemplating a mix of residential, retail and office uses. We are seeking to rezone the block to Industrial Mixed Used 5-Story (I-MX-5), see initial bubble plan attached. We intend to activate the street level with appropriate transparency and/or retail space. Parking would also be constructed on site in the form of one or more garages. All bike and pedestrian infrastructure, which is unusable on some portions of the Property, would be updated to current city standards.

Thanks for finding that. Based on that link, looks like it’s going to be an apartment building. Curious who the developer is

“ We are currently under contract with a multifamily developer whose concept plan shows approximately 471 units, or 91.37 units per acre. Their initial concept submittal includes a wrap style building including an above ground parking garage, wrapped by residential units. Current plans are to have approximately 0.62 acres of open green space on the southern end of the building, which is 12.05% of the parcel. The developer is a long-term holder of their assets. Additionally, the Owner is currently working with the City on an affordable housing agreement that will outline affordable housing requirements on this parcel.”

[HighRanch]

[QUOTE=Ich;9396344]Thanks for finding that. Based on that link, looks like it’s going to be an apartment building. Curious who the developer is

Westside Investment Partners purchased that property in Mid 2019.
https://www.westsideinv.com/our-portfolio?lightbox=dataItem-k7z19a9a

There were several articles on the 50 S. Kalamath location at the time of purchase.

[rds70]

Two 30 story towers are being proposed in the Golden Triangle.

The first concept plan was submitted for 1199 Bannock, which would include 275 residential units, 7,000 square feet of retail and 200 above and below grade parking spaces.

The second plan was submitted for 1115 Acoma, which would include 165 hotel rooms, 100 apartments, 5,000 square feet of retail and 175 above and below grade parking spaces.

Both plans were submitted by Urban Villages.

Nice to see a group pursuing project under the new zoning regulations.

[SirLucasTheGreat]

That's awesome with Golden Triangle but I thought Lennar owned all the Evans School stuff. Also, what sort of pagan ritual does one need to perform to see a groundbreaking in Golden Triangle? Is Lennar going to only build each of their 4-6 proposed towers one at a time?

Between Lennar and other developers, I'm not sure that there is a single surface level parking lot left unclaimed in Golden Triangle, which is great. I'm honestly more interested in a built out Golden Triangle than a built out RiNo but RiNo is whooping GT with 2021 groundbreakings.

[rds70]

Originally Posted by rds70

Two 30 story towers are being proposed in the Golden Triangle.

The first concept plan was submitted for 1199 Bannock, which would include 275 residential units, 7,000 square feet of retail and 200 above and below grade parking spaces.

The second plan was submitted for 1115 Acoma, which would include 165 hotel rooms, 100 apartments, 5,000 square feet of retail and 175 above and below grade parking spaces.

Both plans were submitted by Urban Villages.

Nice to see a group pursuing project under the new zoning regulations.

I should have also pointed out that both are being design by Shop Architects.

[TakeFive]

A closer look at the latest patch of grass along the Platte to be developed

It's understandably harder to appreciate what you're not familiar with.

Tomorrow this building is topping out


Source

https://milehighcre.com/topping-out-hydro-building-on-csu-spur-campus/

The HYDRO building, one of three new facilities located on the CSU Spur campus at the National Western Center, will top out this week. The ceremony, when the final steel beam is placed on the Hydro structure, will take place at noon on September 16.

A year ago

"Our vision is big" - "The ground is broken"

• Video Link

What is more basic to living, to the quality of life than Food, Water and (animal) Health?

CSU Spur Campus


Source

[Arapahoe]

Originally Posted by rds70

Two 30 story towers are being proposed in the Golden Triangle.

The first concept plan was submitted for 1199 Bannock, which would include 275 residential units, 7,000 square feet of retail and 200 above and below grade parking spaces.

The second plan was submitted for 1115 Acoma, which would include 165 hotel rooms, 100 apartments, 5,000 square feet of retail and 175 above and below grade parking spaces.

Both plans were submitted by Urban Villages.

Nice to see a group pursuing project under the new zoning regulations.

interesting, this inspired me to search what concept plans were filed in September for my stomping grounds. Found one for the parking lot next to Epic Brewing on Walnut & 31st in RiNo.

The project consists of a 5 Story Building with 55,600 GFA of office and 2,600 GFA of coffee shop / food & beverage. Parking is provided in a below grade garage (1 Level) and on the second level above grade.

Open Studio Architecture with Martin/Martin on the application.

This would replace the parking lot on right side of this image.

[Arapahoe]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

What is more basic to living, to the quality of life than Food, Water and (animal) Health?

clever branding on CSU Spur buildings now: "Vida, Hydro & Terra".

Must say that sounds way more interesting and futuristic then what they had in the NWC master plan: CSU Equine Sports Medicine Facility, Community Outreach Clinic, Clinical Trials Center.

[TakeFive]

Delta's Dawn was a Downer

Delta Dawn, what's that flower you have on
Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?
And did I hear you say he was a-meeting you here today
To take you to his mansion in the sky?
(Songwriters Larry Collins and Alex Harvey)

Study: Denver hotel business travel revenue down by more than 75% from 2019
September 16, 2021 - By Ed Sealover – Senior Reporter, Denver Business Journal

Denver hotels are on pace to bring in $850 million less from business travel in 2021 than in 2019 — a finding that demonstrates even as other hospitality sectors are recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, the lodging industry continues to suffer without events and in-person gatherings.

This in not a good thing for this industry.

Anybody familiar with any recent significant leases being signed for office space; I haven't seen much?

Originally Posted by SirLucasTheGreat

That's awesome with Golden Triangle but I thought Lennar owned all the Evans School stuff. Also, what sort of pagan ritual does one need to perform to see a groundbreaking in Golden Triangle? Is Lennar going to only build each of their 4-6 proposed towers one at a time?

Between Lennar and other developers, I'm not sure that there is a single surface level parking lot left unclaimed in Golden Triangle, which is great. I'm honestly more interested in a built out Golden Triangle than a built out RiNo but RiNo is whooping GT with 2021 groundbreakings.

Given how things have changed it's hard to predict when or what Lennar will do next. At the least they are holding valuable land in the interim.

Lennar did take over the plans for a project at 360 Acoma Street in the Baker Neighborhood which rds70 posted about a last October.

Originally Posted by rds70

On a side note, construction has finally started on the 360 Acoma apartments in the Baker Neighborhood. It is a five story building with 171 units and below grade parking. The developer is now Lennar Multifamily Co.

-----------------------------
Good sleuthing

Originally Posted by Arapahoe

interesting, this inspired me to search what concept plans were filed in September for my stomping grounds. Found one for the parking lot next to Epic Brewing on Walnut & 31st in RiNo.

---------------------
It's a Downer Day in the neighborhood

The problems with supply chains which was improving has now deteriorated once again.


Source

Supply chain delays won’t be easily fixed and trouble will continue into next year
SEP 1 2021 By Daniel Yergin and Peter Tirschwell - CNBC

The world economy runs on global supply chains. But that system is now in trouble, and the troubles will increase.

Our analysis at IHS Markit of shipping, port, and manufacturing data finds that the worsening delays will continue well into 2022. Moreover, pessimism is growing among shipping executives – some now expecting the disruption to continue even into 2023.

This disruption is one of the main reasons for the surge in inflation.

The disruption began with the economic upheaval of the pandemic. But it is now being made worse by the strength of the economic rebound, a shortage of workers, and a transportation system that is overstressed.

Speaking of IHS Market, some of you may recall this merger back in July of 2016.

https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/...-shareholders-ok-merger-deal-set-to.html

Shareholders of Colorado-based IHS Inc. and London-based Markit Ltd. approved their merger Monday, and the deal creating a $13 billion international market and financial data company is expected to close Tuesday.

The combined company is to be called IHS Markit Ltd. and will trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the new trading symbol "INFO" starting Wednesday.

The combined company will be headquartered in London, but will retain "certain key operations" in Colorado, IHS said when the deal was disclosed.

IHS was the dominant partner going into the deal so I assume London was chosen as the HQ for both strategic and financial/tax purposes. Their info is quoted all the time.