DENVER | Main Development Thread #7

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by CONative

https://denverite.com/2020/06/25/johnson-and-wales-is-shutting-down-its-denver-campus

As this in the white portion of Park Hill, let's see those NIMBY fucks put their money where there mouth is and advocate for hundreds of units of affordable housing in their own neighborhood.


We all can dream....

[BG918]

Originally Posted by CONative

Johnson & Wales University-Denver will be NO MORE as of this time next year. The campus just a few blocks from Stapleton in south Park Hill has a few very beautiful historic buildings and is a pretty decent looking campus. No matter what happens, a couple of buildings will have to stay because they are historically registered or have historical significance. Another Loretto Heights? Mixed-use with affordable and market-rate housing? It is across the street from the somewhat prestigious Denver School of the Arts High School, so not everything can go there.

https://denverite.com/2020/06/25/johnson-and-wales-is-shutting-down-its-denver-campus

Housing of some kind seems like a no brainer for this site, especially the historic buildings and affordable housing in the dorms. In this particular location you may have some pushback from the neighborhood but not as much as if it were west of Quebec. It will be interesting to see what happens, it's a really beautiful campus that many in Denver forget exists.

[Ich]

Originally Posted by BG918

Housing of some kind seems like a no brainer for this site, especially the historic buildings and affordable housing in the dorms. In this particular location you may have some pushback from the neighborhood but not as much as if it were west of Quebec. It will be interesting to see what happens, it's a really beautiful campus that many in Denver forget exists.

Do you think one of the other universities might use it? I heard a rumor that both DU and CSU wanted to start their own med school program

[BG918]

Originally Posted by Ich

Do you think one of the other universities might use it? I heard a rumor that both DU and CSU wanted to start their own med school program

DU used to have its law school there before they moved back to campus. I don't know if it's very well set-up for a medical school though.

I've wondered what will become of old VA hospital next to Rose Medical Center, that could be a potential med school location for DU or CSU. I know CSU is planning for an urban campus at the National Western Center but haven't heard of any plans for a med school there, just science and agricultural programs.

CSU campus in Globeville


https://source.colostate.edu/csu-system-to-break-ground-on-planned-urban-campus-in-2020/

[kemachs]

Originally Posted by BG918

Housing of some kind seems like a no brainer for this site, especially the historic buildings and affordable housing in the dorms. In this particular location you may have some pushback from the neighborhood but not as much as if it were west of Quebec. It will be interesting to see what happens, it's a really beautiful campus that many in Denver forget exists.

It is, in fact, west of Quebec. That part of Park Hill does seem slightly WASP-ish and NIMBY, but not nearly as much as the portion west of Monaco.

I also find it to be a beautiful hidden gem of a campus (I live nearby currently), hope whomever takes it over will maintain the quad/open space...it would be hard to appreciate Centennial Hall without it.

[Matt]

Block 162 Update: 6/27/2020

Despite its height and location, I'm surprised to see it's making more of an impact on the skyline than I thought it would. Even from the west side with the Hyatt in front of it, the Hyatt is slender enough to allow Block 162 to make its presence felt. Best of all, the blank wall of Dominion Plaza is now hidden!

[DenverInfill]

Those are nice photos, Matt! What camera/lens do you have?

[DenvertoLA]

Professional grade right there. Thanks for posting

[wong21fr]

Great shots. Appreciate the photo session.

[BG918]

Originally Posted by kemachs

It is, in fact, west of Quebec. That part of Park Hill does seem slightly WASP-ish and NIMBY, but not nearly as much as the portion west of Monaco.

I also find it to be a beautiful hidden gem of a campus (I live nearby currently), hope whomever takes it over will maintain the quad/open space...it would be hard to appreciate Centennial Hall without it.

Ha I meant Monaco. There is a big difference between the neighborhood east and west of Monaco along Montview.

[Sam Hill]

Apartments Under Construction Near Empower Field at Mile High

[comoneymaker]

this photo is 2000 to 2000 of S. Vaughn in Aurora

Originally Posted by TakeFive

New apartment project planned on So Clarkson St has an innovative name

Introducing "The Clarkson"

114 Units Planned for Corner of South Clarkson St and Jefferson Ave
June 24, 2020 - Mile High CRE

If you think I'm reaching for development news - you would be correct. But this project has redeeming qualities. For one: they have their own funding.


Reach some more; see if you can find news with a nice photo.

So beautiful; who wouldn't want to live here?


Credit Jennifer Hayes/CREJ for In Stock photo

Evergreen Development adds Aurora apartments for $46M
June 22, 2020 By Jennifer Hayes/CREJ

Think about these numbers:


That per unit price is HALF of what it now costs to build in downtown Denver.

This is what you'd call "Plain Jane" units but I've been inside and they're fine.

Read it and Weep

I know this area well and made a nice living off of selling the nearby condos and townhomes back in my "Hudding" days in the late 1980's & early 1990's.

Two bedroom, two baths with single or double car garages were selling for an average $65,000; nearby one bedrooms with only reserved outside parking sold from the mid $20,000's to $35,000.

My fondest affordable story (and there were many)

Nicest young couple, recently married and about 18 months from High School graduation. He had finished is auto-tech certification and secured his new job. She was a secretary.

There was this townhome, not in Cherry Creek SD, in the vicinity of Chambers RD and Mississippi. Nothing fancy, ~1,300 square feet, two bedrooms, nice kitchen area and a (nice-sized) two-car garage. It was a little rough inside - lived-in dirty. HUD decided to sell the unit "as-is" with a $500 down payment.

When this couple moved in and turned the water on, everything was fine. Everything, like appliances worked fine. They paid $28,500 for their first home and couldn't have been happier.

[comoneymaker]

Dirt is being moved at Evans and I-25 where the old motel was. They also demoed the apartments.com building. Big dirt lot. Anyone know what is going in?

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by comoneymaker

Dirt is being moved at Evans and I-25 where the old motel was. They also demoed the apartments.com building. Big dirt lot. Anyone know what is going in?

This I believe:

More than 500 new homes and buildings up to 8 stories tall planned for University Hills sites

[DenvertoLA]

This is Denver's 20 year master plan for parks and public spaces. IMO converting some of parking Coors Field has would be a great opportunity that would provide another big park downtown, and motivate more residential development in the area. It's a fun read, especially for anyone having an indoor holiday from potential covid exposure. Stay safe out there.



https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/de...e-Outdoor-Downtown_Master-Plan-FINAL.pdf

[TakeFive]

Matt - love the photos

I can't help pausing on the 2nd shot (or the 6th) b/c of the perspective and b/c I still enjoy gazing at 1144 15th street.

Originally Posted by CONative

Johnson & Wales University-Denver will be NO MORE as of this time next year. The campus just a few blocks from Stapleton in south Park Hill has a few very beautiful historic buildings and is a pretty decent looking campus. No matter what happens, a couple of buildings will have to stay because they are historically registered or have historical significance. Another Loretto Heights? Mixed-use with affordable and market-rate housing? It is across the street from the somewhat prestigious Denver School of the Arts High School, so not everything can go there.

https://denverite.com/2020/06/25/johnson-and-wales-is-shutting-down-its-denver-campus

Another Loretto Heights does sound apropos.

Originally Posted by Ich

Do you think one of the other universities might use it? I heard a rumor that both DU and CSU wanted to start their own med school program

I wouldn't rule it out.

For example, while ASU has 55,000 students at its main campus in Tempe it also has a total of 75,000 students including 3 other satellite sites so there has to be opportunity for continuing its education profile.

Originally Posted by kemachs

I also find it to be a beautiful hidden gem of a campus (I live nearby currently), hope whomever takes it over will maintain the quad/open space...it would be hard to appreciate Centennial Hall without it.

Photo courtesy of Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

Agree it's a gem and while housing opportunities beckon my urge to preserve is also 'high'. DenvertoLA's timely posting of the parks and public spaces master plan suggests other interesting opportunities as well.

[RyanD]

2020 claimed my camera so I had to get a new one. Here's some skyline candy for you guys. Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during this crazy time!

[Tykendo]

Fantastic pics. Thank You.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by RyanD

2020 claimed my camera so I had to get a new one.

I hate it when stuff like that happens. Causes me sleepless nights.

You take the best shots at night or low-light times of the day which are always some of my favorite type of photos. In fact one of your pics still serves as the background for my desktop.

Originally Posted by Sam Hill

Apartments Under Construction Near Empower Field at Mile High

That has to be one of the nicest architectural boxes I have seen. At least the rendering is very impressive IMO.

Originally Posted by DenvertoLA

This is Denver's 20 year master plan for parks and public spaces. IMO converting some of parking Coors Field has would be a great opportunity that would provide another big park downtown, and motivate more residential development in the area. It's a fun read, especially for anyone having an indoor holiday from potential covid exposure. Stay safe out there.

https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/de...e-Outdoor-Downtown_Master-Plan-FINAL.pdf

Couple of quibbles.

First of all 'they' don't date the damn thing. I know... I'm sure they feel their work is timeless but by habit, the first thing I look for is the date. It's just "professional' to date your work IMO. Admittedly, it wasn't that hard to peg the timing.

Second, I was going to suggest next time linking to the 'Executive Summary' but this is where things start to get complicated. I quickly found the updated 'Game Plan' for a healthy city but that's very different.

With additional searching the named "The Outdoor Downtown Plan" was initiated by the 'Downtown Denver Partnership' in 2015 in collaboration with the 'Denver Parks and Rec' and released to the public October of 2017.

Pros and Cons

59.6% of online survey respondents reported that they avoid downtown outdoor spaces because they feel uncomfortable.

How sad is that and the 'homeless' problem has only gotten worse since 2017.

On the plus side, anything to do with green/park or public space is desirable by definition. Managing it properly is the challenge.

Good News

As the city center and adjacent neighborhoods have grown, significant money has been invested in open space. Think of the improvements along the Platte River including the pending improvements into RiNo and then the National Western Center. Other green space has and is being created as a result of flood and drainage control. These enhancements are indeed a really Big Plus in my book.

Do I want more? Always!

[DenvertoLA]

Yeah I tried to find the date too but gave up. Also page numbers on that document suck