DENVER | Main Development Thread #7

[SirLucasTheGreat]

While uninspiring, I don't actively hate that design. It is just a generic land barge. Civic Lofts, however, that is a truly heinous building. Anybody seen whether Amacon has broken ground given that the fees were paid last week?

[laniroj]

Originally Posted by H. H. Holmes

OOF that is...messy. I mean horray for the density, but I thought (hoped) Denver was turning the corner architecturally, with some nicer proposals as of late.

Are the principals at these firms just getting drunk and sketching on their iPads, then leaving the execution to the unpaid interns?

They are probably battling the 20% construction cost increase encountered over the last 12 months and had to cheap up all the facades - low hanging fruit. Maybe if we would stop sending kids to college destined for failure and instead encourage them to explore the trades, we wouldn't have this damn issue.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by laniroj

They are probably battling the 20% construction cost increase encountered over the last 12 months and had to cheap up all the facades - low hanging fruit. Maybe if we would stop sending kids to college destined for failure and instead encourage them to explore the trades, we wouldn't have this damn issue.

I'm all for crushing the trades with hundreds of thousands of new workers that will depress wages. A general laborer shouldn't make more than minimum wage and an apprentice shouldn't see an order of magnitude increase in wages either. Hell, neither should a journeyman.

[laniroj]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

I'm all for crushing the trades with hundreds of thousands of new workers that will depress wages. A general laborer shouldn't make more than minimum wage and an apprentice shouldn't see an order of magnitude increase in wages either. Hell, neither should a journeyman.

I've long thought this issue would naturally solve itself, you know people gravitating toward making $70-$80k without college debt to repay instead of $55k with $150k in debt, but it hasn't. Not sure what you do for a living, but I couldn't identify a single laborer or worker on a job site making minimum wage. A sweeper/cleaner from a labor service makes $20+ an hour. Not a soul in the construction industry, from job-site workers to the vast supply and logistics chains that support it make minimum wage.

I'm all for people making sensible decisions and succeeding in life while not having to climb mountains eeking out a living and the opportunity, as I see it, is in the trades.

[BG918]

Originally Posted by laniroj

I've long thought this issue would naturally solve itself, you know people gravitating toward making $70-$80k without college debt to repay instead of $55k with $150k in debt, but it hasn't. Not sure what you do for a living, but I couldn't identify a single laborer or worker on a job site making minimum wage. A sweeper/cleaner from a labor service makes $20+ an hour. Not a soul in the construction industry, from job-site workers to the vast supply and logistics chains that support it make minimum wage.

I'm all for people making sensible decisions and succeeding in life while not having to climb mountains eeking out a living and the opportunity, as I see it, is in the trades.

I work in the construction industry. The skilled trades are very well-paid and even laborers are doing pretty well right now. The construction admin jobs are all $100k+ even for relatively inexperienced younger workers.

[mhays]

I think he was being facetious. The construction trades are one of the last remnants of blue collar family-wage careers.

The trades need workers now. They'll never get a flood. Instead if successful we can shave away some of the scarcity that slows construction onsite and in the supply chain. There's real cost benefit to that even if wages are the same.

BG918, I assume by "admin" you mean project engineers. I don't believe Ops Assistants make that. Actually that sounds high for a new PE too.

[Arapahoe]

Originally Posted by SirLucasTheGreat

While uninspiring, I don't actively hate that design. It is just a generic land barge. Civic Lofts, however, that is a truly heinous building. Anybody seen whether Amacon has broken ground given that the fees were paid last week?

they haven't broken ground, the shoring and excavation permit hasn't been issued. A review is pending due on Dec 9. Last issue noted getting permission for an easement allowing shoring tie-backs to go underneath the neighboring properties across the alley, presumably the 7-11 and parking lot. Appears to be resolved.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by laniroj

I've long thought this issue would naturally solve itself, you know people gravitating toward making $70-$80k without college debt to repay instead of $55k with $150k in debt, but it hasn't. Not sure what you do for a living, but I couldn't identify a single laborer or worker on a job site making minimum wage. A sweeper/cleaner from a labor service makes $20+ an hour. Not a soul in the construction industry, from job-site workers to the vast supply and logistics chains that support it make minimum wage.

I'm all for people making sensible decisions and succeeding in life while not having to climb mountains eeking out a living and the opportunity, as I see it, is in the trades.

Yeah, it's ridiculous (the wages on the bottom to lower mid-end as it really is non-skilled labor imo) that the supply side hasn't adjusted. I think it's attributable to the feast or famine aspect of construction (why do that when there are other trades jobs that have a far higher degree of stability?), the perception of it being grunt work (which it is on the lower end), and that the more productive laborers in the market self-select into other professions.

I worked a host of summer construction jobs as an equipment operator (loaders and bulldozers) and there's no way in hell I'd consider doing that for 30-40 years. Let alone swinging a hammer on a job-site. Foreman and site manager options do provide upwards mobility, but not enough IMO.

[BG918]

Originally Posted by mhays

I think he was being facetious. The construction trades are one of the last remnants of blue collar family-wage careers.

The trades need workers now. They'll never get a flood. Instead if successful we can shave away some of the scarcity that slows construction onsite and in the supply chain. There's real cost benefit to that even if wages are the same.

BG918, I assume by "admin" you mean project engineers. I don't believe Ops Assistants make that. Actually that sounds high for a new PE too.

I meant the Preconstruction/project managers and those “overseeing” the projects. The developers are making huge sums right now.

[Arapahoe]

Originally Posted by The Dirt

Interesting rezoning going before committee this week. 2000 Blake Street, encompassing about 1/3 of the block across from the Rockies stadium, made up of two parcels is being rezone from a PUD to C-MX-8 (commercial, mixed-use, 8 stories). The property is owned by an LLC formed earlier this year, so it looks like there's interest in redeveloping this empty parking lot. Additionally, the abutting property making up the rest of the block is being rezoned from one PUD to another PUD. However, this is owned by the stadium district, so it looks like whatever they have planned here will be a separate project.

evidently they are requesting rezoning for a structure:

"...rezoning application, the owners say any project would have at least two levels of retail space and that they are working with the city’s Housing Stability department to restrict about 12 percent of any residential units to people making 80 percent of the area median income.

“The proposed mixed-use development would enhance the neighborhood through high-quality urban design, preserve the authenticity of the ballpark and adjacent neighborhood, and celebrate history, architecture and culture,” the owner stated in the zoning application." - DBJ

No plans have been submitted to the city - hopefully this is not a long term vision!

[mhays]

Originally Posted by BG918

I meant the Preconstruction/project managers and those “overseeing” the projects. The developers are making huge sums right now.

Ok, that makes sense. A PM at a major firm would typically earn six figures, and might just be a handful of years from their bachelors in construction management or civil engineering.

[laniroj]

Originally Posted by mhays

Ok, that makes sense. A PM at a major firm would typically earn six figures, and might just be a handful of years from their bachelors in construction management or civil engineering.

Site level superintendent and project manager positions with and without bachelor degrees are seeing annual bonuses in the $30k-$80k realm at this moment in time on top of salaries. I honestly think the uneducated (but skilled labor) people constructing the projects are now making more than the highly educated people designing the projects. Who knows if it will last and for how long, but that's a good change IMO if the industry is to attract more workers...

[SirLucasTheGreat]

It is crazy looking at the gallery of cranes in RiNo when driving near the I-25 and I-70 interchange. I wonder if there has ever been as many cranes in that neighborhood as there are now.

[laniroj]

Originally Posted by SirLucasTheGreat

It is crazy looking at the gallery of cranes in RiNo when driving near the I-25 and I-70 interchange. I wonder if there has ever been as many cranes in that neighborhood as there are now.

Wait for Golden Triangle to pop with the added potential zoning height. Super excited to see that happen.

[Denver]

Originally Posted by SirLucasTheGreat

It is crazy looking at the gallery of cranes in RiNo when driving near the I-25 and I-70 interchange. I wonder if there has ever been as many cranes in that neighborhood as there are now.

RiNo just got a new tower crane last week at Flora at 35th and Chestnut.

[TakeFive]

Putting aside my Grinch

I found these renders on a 'blog' apparently set up by Margaret Jackson, a longtime Denver reporter of CRE news. Obviously, it's in her blood.

.....
Images Courtesy of Shears Adkins + Rockmore via Margaret Jackson on NewsBreak

The above was from back in August; I missed it. Denverite has an update.

Affordable housing geared toward unhoused youth is coming to RiNo’s Denargo Market
Dec 7, 2021 By Desiree Mathurin/Denverite

The 56-unit development will be located at 2700 Wewatta Way. It will provide affordable and supportive housing for young adults (18-25 years old) who are at risk of or already experiencing homelessness. It’ll be a five-story building with a mix of studios, one and two bedrooms.

The project is spearheaded by Rivet Development Partners, who helped oversee the construction of Racies Brewery, and TGTHR, a nonprofit working to end youth homelessness.

Perspective

A lot of folks are what I call 'drama' people. Imagine listening to hours of Talk Radio or cable Tee Vee and ofc today social media is all the rage.

With respect to juveniles, drama is a normal part of the maturation process. They say the brain continues to develop to age 25 and if young people can find some productive, constructive pathway (like a job) by their mid-twenty's, a lot of the drama subsides or at least it is balanced by the need to meet responsibilities.

I'm all for dealing with those youth struggling to find their place in life. All of us go through this but for many it's more traumatic and life disrupting.

Speaking of my Liberal Side

I made the time to read a nice piece by Esteban L. Hernandez/Denverite on Denver's STAR program from last August. This seems to be working well. It seems at the least to be a better allocation of resources.

The program has been lauded for its ability to keep people from ending up arrested or in jail. It launched in Denver last year amid nationwide protests against police violence and racism prompted by George Floyd’s murder. By all accounts, the program has been successful in limiting interactions between cops and people in crisis.

Back to my Grinch

I certainly agree with Denver District Attorney Beth McCann and her opposition to "low or no bond" for those who are arrested. This was one of the 'wrong' liberal crusades to come out of the George Floyd BLM.

I guarantee this will become a Big Political issue. It only takes a few horrific crimes resulting from no/low bond to create a Schnitt-storm among the masses. One example is the Buckhead movement to form their own jurisdiction, separate and apart from the City of Atlanta.

Wait and see.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Perspective

A lot of folks are what I call 'drama' people. Imagine listening to hours of Talk Radio or cable Tee Vee and ofc today social media is all the rage.

With respect to juveniles, drama is a normal part of the maturation process. They say the brain continues to develop to age 25 and if young people can find some productive, constructive pathway (like a job) by their mid-twenty's, a lot of the drama subsides or at least it is balanced by the need to meet responsibilities.

I'm all for dealing with those youth struggling to find their place in life. All of us go through this but for many it's more traumatic and life disrupting.

The project is aimed at a group that has a few more challenges than just teen drama and "what do I do with my lifte" angst. Transitional age youth are young people between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four who are in transition from state custody or foster care environments and are at-risk. So kids who have never had a stable environment and are getting thrown out to the world now that they are no longer wards of the state.

[TakeFive]

Have I ever mentioned that I enjoy mixed density; appropriate preservation too?

At least the renderings are rather cool. BTW, this was previously reported but this is a fun update.

By: Amanda Johnson, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP OZ Architecture | Principal

2401 Larimer St.







Transformation of a 1938 Building Brings the Farm to the Urban Table
November 23, 2021 - Mile High CRE

The renovation taking place at 2401 Larimer St. is not your average office or retail conversion. And the business going into the property is not your average tech startup. When it’s complete next year, this quirky 1938 building, often overlooked by passersby, will become a high-tech hydroponic farm that will sell freshly grown produce directly to consumers through an on-site market and restaurant concept called Farm & Market.

Noted:

Originally Posted by wong21fr

The project is aimed at a group that has a few more challenges than just teen drama and "what do I do with my lifte" angst. Transitional age youth are young people between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four who are in transition from state custody or foster care environments and are at-risk. So kids who have never had a stable environment and are getting thrown out to the world now that they are no longer wards of the state.

Thanks for the additional context.

No doubt the 'success rate' will be challenged by those with a more 'interesting' background. Still, it's worthwhile effort IMO.

[TakeFive]

You may be more familiar with this than I am

Originally Posted by wong21fr

The project is aimed at a group that has a few more challenges than just teen drama and "what do I do with my lifte" angst.

Xcel Energy wants to change how it powers millions of Colorado homes. How that happens depends on these hearings
December 8, 2021 By Miguel Otárola - CPR

Colorado regulators will kick off a series of hearings Wednesday that could determine how the state’s largest utility generates its energy in the coming decades — and how much it will contribute to global warming.

I recall Xcel having plans to shut down Comanche units 1 & 2.

Seems I read how the construction of Comanche 3 was a nightmare of flawed materials etc. I assume this is why they're willing to shut down their nearly new $1.3 billion coal burner waaay earlier than anticipated.

Xcel, which initiated the settlement discussions, has faced constant backlash for its management of Comanche’s newest coal-fired unit, Comanche 3. Despite nearly two cumulative years of unplanned shutdowns,

Ultimately, Xcel needs to keep a healthy capacity of natural gas so Colorado doesn't end up in the same pickle as Texas did.

So now 'liberals' have flip-flopped to supporting new nuclear power - or have they?

[Paulopolis]

-It looks like demolition at the Ramada at Colfax & Downing is underway. This is a Kairoi project.

-The parking lot for the small footprint, 5-story residential project at 33rd & Tejon is being ripped up. This is a Revesco, the company behind River Mile, project.

-It also looks like demolition at 4003 Walnut St. has started. According to Denver Development Services this is a speculative 5-story office project.