DENVER | Main Development Thread #7

[Sam Hill]

Originally Posted by bunt_q

I read the article itself, and Denverite, as (indirectly) pushing for preservation.

Denverite has a bad habit of announcing to the city, every time a development is proposed on a property that’s eligible for preservation, “Hey Denver! Here’s your chance to decide if this building should be saved!”

Recent example: https://denverite.com/2022/05/20/should-...ompany-warehouse-be-demolished-or-saved/

They do it for no reason, even if no one has shown any interest in preserving it. I think there’s a clear motive.

[TakeFive]

It may be early but...

I've already decided on at least one candidate who will get my five votes for at-large City Council seat.

Will Chan is running for an at-large City Council seat with Denver’s missing voice in mind
June 8, 2022 by Desiree Mathurin/Denverite

Chan has worked for the city for over a decade, starting with the Denver Public Library. He said his work focused on immigrant and refugee program services, where he would travel to different Denver libraries, helping new residents with citizenship and English courses but also after-school programs, economic networking and intergenerational programs where older residents could discuss their cultures with younger program members.

While many others have great backgrounds I like that Will is more inclined to look for a practical solution to Denver's greatest needs - as apposed to having some pre-set ideological script. Given that I'm a Big Fan of diversity is another reason for my five votes.
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It is hard to appreciate what DOTI must do fulfill their obligation with respect to planning

Originally Posted by bobg

Given how long it takes DOTI to study anything I too look forward to seeing those observations in time for the November 2028 election.

Of course that timing would be as about effective as the unprotected bike lanes downtown, the "neighborhood bikeways", the sidewalk inspection program, and their Lincoln St redesign. So par for the course.

A lot of the challenges go to many different and often competing interests.

Then sometimes the projects end up being bigger and taking (lots of) time.



Courtesy of Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

The cars are back on 17th Ave. between Colorado Blvd. and York St. — and there’s a fancy new crosswalk to boot (and bike)
June 7, 2022 by Kyle Harris/Denverite

City Park resident Ruby Valles was out for a stroll with her boxer Tuesday morning and getting ready to cross 17th Avenue at the new crosswalk at Garfield Street. After more than a year of construction, traffic was flowing again down 17th, from Colorado Boulevard to York Street, past City Park, and she was happy the roadwork in her neighborhood was complete.

Why did this take so long?

“It’s been a long, long time,” said Valles of the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure construction project, which was months behind schedule after construction snafus.

[mishko27]

New residential towers proposed at Belleview Station

The two towers — at 19 stories and 20 stories high — would create 705 new residential units in the area, and plans also call for a 25,000-square-foot grocery store on the ground floor of the building, which also will include 950 parking spaces.

The article also mentions that the half block across the street from Vectra Bank HQ already has "plans moving forward". I wish we had more information on that, as completing this parcel will make Belleview Station seem very urban.

The question is, will the grocer be King Soopers (closest on is on Belleview and Yosemite) or Whole Foods (closest is proposed on Orchard and i25)? Also, how long before the land across Union, next to Cierra Crest will be developed?

[SirLucasTheGreat]

That's exciting! That area is blowing up

[TakeFive]

Time To Say Goodbye (HD)

Older than The Dirt (and me) but a lot of memories (mostly good ones)

740 S University Blvd

.....
Photos courtesy Mark Antonation/Westword

Bonnie Brae Tavern closing its doors after 88 years
June 10, 2022 By Katie Eastman - 9NEWS

"There's good pizza in this town, there is," said Ricky Dire, co-owner and chef. "But it doesn't taste like this, it just doesn't."

Throughout its nearly nine decades, the restaurant stayed in the family the entire time. Now on the third generation of owners, with the fourth generation working at the place full time, they love their tavern because it's all their family has ever known.

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Belleview Station is developing out real nice

Originally Posted by mishko27

The article also mentions that the half block across the street from Vectra Bank HQ already has "plans moving forward". I wish we had more information on that, as completing this parcel will make Belleview Station seem very urban.

[TakeFive]

Tantalizing potential but way down-the-road

BusinessDen has reported the pending sale of the Pepsi manufacturing facility (approximately 15-acres) in RiNo to a Philadelphia company, Stoltz Real Estate Partners. At 1st blush it seems like an odd investment for them. They do currently own some modest existing buildings in downtown Denver and one in Cherry Creek.

For now, this is essentially a 'sale-leaseback' as Pepsi won't move out until after their new facility near DIA is built and they've yet to even buy the land. Stoltz may be looking to the interim income along with land appreciation over time. Who knows what they will ultimately do but the site has wonderful potential - some day.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Tantalizing potential but way down-the-road

BusinessDen has reported the pending sale of the Pepsi manufacturing facility (approximately 15-acres) in RiNo to a Philadelphia company, Stoltz Real Estate Partners. At 1st blush it seems like an odd investment for them. They do currently own some modest existing buildings in downtown Denver and one in Cherry Creek.

For now, this is essentially a 'sale-leaseback' as Pepsi won't move out until after their new facility near DIA is built and they've yet to even buy the land. Stoltz may be looking to the interim income along with land appreciation over time. Who knows what they will ultimately do but the site has wonderful potential - some day.

DBJ has an article with a bit more depth- including a sales price of $158M:

https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/...x_testVariant=cx_26&cx_artPos=0#cxrecs_s

[TakeFive]

Could increasingly higher costs for Gasoline create more RTD costumers?
Yes, I think it could give RTD an assist with ridership, at least at the margin.

FWIW Phoenix gas prices run $.75 higher per gallon than Denver and Valley Metro has reported increasing ridership on light rail, buses and more Van Pool service.
Note: I can't find any recent RTD numbers or trends.


Interesting story from TriMet


IMAGE: BOB POOL/SHUTTERSTOCK

On the Hunt for New Drivers, TriMet Dangles a $7,500 Hiring Bonus
May 18, 2022 By Julia Silverman - PDX Monthly

It is unusual for a transit agency to publish a frank mea culpa, and yet, last week, that’s exactly what TriMet, which oversees public transportation in the Portland metro area did, across its social media channels.

“We’re sorry,” the message began. “Despite our service reduction earlier this year, we have been forced to cancel buses each day because of a severe operator shortage. And, this shortage is affecting MAX now as well, with more and more trains canceled due to a lack of operators.”

How is ridership doing this year?

These are hard times in public transportation. Ridership—despite edging back up as a few more people gingerly find their way back to their offices—remains at around 50 percent of prepandemic levels, depriving the agency of a key revenue source. (In early 2019, bus, light rail trains, the streetcar, and the tram averaged around 2 million rides per week; in April, that figure edged above 1 million for the first time in two years.)

[bulldurhamer]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

Because Denverite dog-whistles everything they write now to have a far-left Boulder-eque tilt. And they have an absolute hard-on for showing how actions might screw the little man. An example is there recent piece on the sidewalk ballot. Focusing on a corner house in Bear Creek that has extra frontage without mentioning that most households with such long frontages would be in higher-income neighborhoods such as Virginia Vale, Crestmoore, etc. Next they'll be a mention of sidewalks taking away from neighborhood character.

The quality of writing went down when Sachs left.

Oh look, wong hating on the poor Mexicans again. For the record, the author is correct. And no, you pretending this house is somewhere else doesn’t count. It’s about time you step back and stop talking.

[bulldurhamer]

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[bulldurhamer]

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[bulldurhamer]

https://www.westword.com/news/denver-deadly-streets-update-13164103

Most bike lanes ever, more deaths than ever.

Perhaps denver streets should have been advocating for sidewalks rather than death lanes all this time after all.


Yeah yeah, ive seen the signs in recent years about dead pedestrians. Quickly followed with construction, funding, and celebrating of bike lanes. Get the 🞵🞵🞵🞵 out of here with the complete lie sidewalks have been on the table for years.

[bulldurhamer]

https://www.9news.com/article/news/polit.../73-e09fcfcf-e603-4bed-8dd7-ffe7b95fb66e



So where is our sidewalk money? Oh i know, bike lanes


Btw this was november 2021. Now we’re supposed to vote to do it again? But this time it will hurt more, especially for those on the corners. But not some people of color but certain not all are exempted either. This is horrible. Stop trying to make the property owners carry all of your water then turn around and shame them for lack of yimbyness.

This sidewalk deal would cost some people a fortune. Absurd. Beyond absurd. Especially since we just passed millions for sidewalks that never reached a sidewalk.

[Sam Hill]

Take it easy.

[TakeFive]

Just walk around any sidewalk hazards

Originally Posted by bulldurhamer

https://www.9news.com/article/news/polit.../73-e09fcfcf-e603-4bed-8dd7-ffe7b95fb66e
Btw this was november 2021.

And if you add $259 million to the previously passed Elevate Denver Bonds it totals $1.2 billion. That's a lot of money for such a small town.

Originally Posted by bulldurhamer

https://www.westword.com/news/denver-deadly-streets-update-13164103

Most bike lanes ever, more deaths than ever.

Perhaps denver streets should have been advocating for sidewalks rather than death lanes all this time after all.

None of this money addresses any of the Top Ten Reasons for Traffic Crashes so you're only working at the margin. The results show how effective that has been.

Originally Posted by Sam Hill

Take it easy.

One of my favorites

[Brainpathology]

Originally Posted by bulldurhamer

https://www.westword.com/news/denver-deadly-streets-update-13164103

Most bike lanes ever, more deaths than ever.

Perhaps denver streets should have been advocating for sidewalks rather than death lanes all this time after all.


Yeah yeah, ive seen the signs in recent years about dead pedestrians. Quickly followed with construction, funding, and celebrating of bike lanes. Get the 🞵🞵🞵🞵 out of here with the complete lie sidewalks have been on the table for years.

Out of the 80ish they listed one was bike/auto, one was bike/train, one was bike/fixed object... doesn't sound like "death lanes" to me. Seems like a good argument for staying the course on bike lanes and adding sidewalk maintenance?

I'm sorry if what I just said hates on Mexicans somehow btw.

[coolmandan03]

Nobody is addressing the actual cause for the additional bike/pedestrian deaths. GHSA has shown that 1) increase in cell phone use for drivers 2) 69% of the vehicle market share is trucks and SUVs. Deaths are twice as likely for bicyclist and pedestrians struck by an SUV than they are by a passenger car.

Of course, those features that make SUVs more deadly to pedestrians are what make them more safe for the occupants - which is why there has been a 6% decrease in traffic accident fatalities.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by coolmandan03

Nobody is addressing the actual cause for the additional bike/pedestrian deaths. GHSA has shown that 1) increase in cell phone use for drivers 2) 69% of the vehicle market share is trucks and SUVs. Deaths are twice as likely for bicyclist and pedestrians struck by an SUV than they are by a passenger car.

Of course, those features that make SUVs more deadly to pedestrians are what make them more safe for the occupants - which is why there has been a 6% decrease in traffic accident fatalities.

And FMVSS standards only addresses occupant safety, not pedestrian.