DENVER | Main Development Thread #7 - Page 656

TakeFive · #**13101** Posted **Jun 29, 2022, 7:33 PM**

I got dizzy from trying to read all of that

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanD

Here's the full staff report:

https://www.denvergov.org/files/assets/p...ake_st_lpcstaffreport_2022.07.05_ada.pdf

I'm sure glad I'm not smart enough to be 'planner.' I much prefer being a simple man of 'practical' means.

I can recall that stretch as I helped to sell new condos (retrofitted) a long, long time ago. I can recall the loading docks. I can't believe they would prefer a butt-ugly loading dock to the refined design being proposed. Is the preference to carve out a nice large loading zone on Blake St as if this somehow adds to the historical look? Good grief.

Speaking of being practical this proposal is a winner. Mixing commercial delivery trucks and vehicle access in the ally sounds like an impractical disaster.

wong21fr · #**13102** Posted **Jun 29, 2022, 9:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakeFive

I got dizzy from trying to read all of that

I'm sure glad I'm not smart enough to be 'planner.' I much prefer being a simple man of 'practical' means.

I can recall that stretch as I helped to sell new condos (retrofitted) a long, long time ago. I can recall the loading docks. I can't believe they would prefer a butt-ugly loading dock to the refined design being proposed. Is the preference to carve out a nice large loading zone on Blake St as if this somehow adds to the historical look? Good grief.

Speaking of being practical this proposal is a winner. Mixing commercial delivery trucks and vehicle access in the ally sounds like an impractical disaster.

Not sure what you're reading, but the two main takeaways from the report is that planning would prefer the parking be moved to the alley and they are questioning whether the main building entrance through the arcade is appropriate. Not too many commercial delivery trucks use the alley as that's where Blake Street Tavern's patio is at.

Architects probably looked at where traffic enters the existing parking lot through the curb cut and when with the entrance there and the planners are asking if that is the ideal route.

It's design review, that's how it starts in order to preserve "neighborhood character".

DenverInfill · #**13103** Posted **Jun 30, 2022, 12:22 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakeFive

I'm sure glad I'm not smart enough to be 'planner.' I much prefer being a simple man of 'practical' means.

I can recall that stretch as I helped to sell new condos (retrofitted) a long, long time ago. I can recall the loading docks. I can't believe they would prefer a butt-ugly loading dock to the refined design being proposed. Is the preference to carve out a nice large loading zone on Blake St as if this somehow adds to the historical look? Good grief.

Speaking of being practical this proposal is a winner. Mixing commercial delivery trucks and vehicle access in the ally sounds like an impractical disaster.

No where does it say the staff prefers loading docks or that they want the applicant to put one in. There was one reference to the fact that many buildings in that area have loading docks and that's it.

As Wong points out, the main objections relate to the location of parking ingress and egress, window size and alignment, and a few other details. I agree with the staff assessment on this one.

TakeFive · #**13104** Posted **Jun 30, 2022, 2:32 AM**

By chance I found some RTD ridership numbers

They're from 4th quarter of 2021 but that's better than nuttin' honey. Thanks to Wikipedia.

Quote:

Daily ridership
29,000 (commuter rail, weekdays, Q4 2021)
46,300 (light rail, weekdays, Q4 2021)
134,700 (bus, weekdays, Q4 2021)[1

Searching my memory banks (not an easy task) but IIRC the percentage of rail riders to bus riders is a bit higher than pre-pandemic. I believe pre-pandemic the percentage of rail riders to bus riders was ~45%. In the 4th quarter of 2021 it was 55%. Not sure how meaningful but it's interesting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DenverInfill

No where does it say the staff prefers loading docks or that they want the applicant to put one in. There was one reference to the fact that many buildings in that area have loading docks and that's it.

As Wong points out, the main objections relate to the location of parking ingress and egress, window size and alignment, and a few other details. I agree with the staff assessment on this one.

LOL, sorry for taking liberties but I can so clearly remember those loading docks.

I guessed that windows might be one issue; no comment.

Some of my feelings is that this site is like one block from not having to cope with such stringent requirements. I have trouble generating the same fondness for that particular block that I would give to LoDo, for example.

I like the logistics of the design; I like the cantilevered arcade. Obviously the 'street wall' is not that important to me. Just a different opinion.

TakeFive · #**13105** Posted **Jun 30, 2022, 4:49 AM**

RyanD; Where would you guess this photo was taken from?

I happen to find that on a RISE Denver page.

Quote:

Infrastructure is everywhere, even if we don’t always notice. It’s the road we drive and the and sidewalk we travel. It’s the library and cultural facility that promote community and education, and the
fire station and recreation center ensuring health and wellbeing. These projects keep Denver safe, accessible, and connected.

bunt_q · #**13106** Posted **Jun 30, 2022, 5:05 AM**

A drone in the grass near the northwest corner of/behind the DMNS.

Ndj · #**13107** Posted **Jun 30, 2022, 5:49 PM**

In reference to that blake street review, adding a curb-cut for parking when you have access to an alley is inexcusable IMO.

edit: I guess it's technically not "adding" a curb cut since it appears one is already there, but my point remains.

UrbanT · #**13108** Posted **Jun 30, 2022, 6:24 PM**

I am not sure if I have seen these posted on the forum yet. Link to Tryba Architects for the project next to Great Divide on 34th and Brighton:

https://www.trybaarchitects.com/portfolio/34th-and-brighton

SirLucasTheGreat · #**13109** Posted **Jun 30, 2022, 6:48 PM**

I have not seen the Tryba project. Here's the rendering. It would fill a big hole on Brighton and add some needed retail to the area

RyanD · #**13110** Posted **Jun 30, 2022, 8:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunt_q

A drone in the grass near the northwest corner of/behind the DMNS.

Beat me to it.

wong21fr · #**13111** Posted **Jun 30, 2022, 8:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ndj

In reference to that blake street review, adding a curb-cut for parking when you have access to an alley is inexcusable IMO.

edit: I guess it's technically not "adding" a curb cut since it appears one is already there, but my point remains.

I get the point, but also consider where the most front porch activity is on that street and it's in the alley with Blake Street Tavern's patio and that coworking building. Does putting the parking there take away from that? Dunno.

Interzen · #**13112** Posted **Jul 1, 2022, 12:43 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakeFive

RyanD; Where would you guess this photo was taken from?

I was going to say the Anschutz Family Sky Terrace in the Museum of Nature & Science but on closer examination the perspective appears to be slightly lower and possibly further south.

Was just up there last night looking through telescopes at the skyline.

bunt_q · #**13113** Posted **Jul 1, 2022, 1:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interzen

I was going to say the Anschutz Family Sky Terrace in the Museum of Nature & Science but on closer examination the perspective appears to be slightly lower and possibly further south.

Was just up there last night looking through telescopes at the skyline.

How many post-COVID office conversions to residential before “I was up
on the terrace looking through telescopes at the skyline” becomes a culturally creepy thing to say?

Stonemans_rowJ · #**13114** Posted **Jul 1, 2022, 3:23 AM**

Hi all, Been away for awhile but been causally reading. Is anyone on this board thinking of running for city council?

rds70 · #**13115** Posted **Jul 1, 2022, 3:20 PM**

A little more information from BusinessDen regarding the proposed 53 story tower at 17th and Champa: https://businessden.com/2022/07/01/aimco...ry-tower-rising-from-downtown-buildings/

It would involve conversion of the two historic building into residential. Construction could start in 2024.

Conceptual rendering:

SirLucasTheGreat · #**13116** Posted **Jul 1, 2022, 4:47 PM**

Nice! I really hope these downtown residential projects take off (this, 650 17th, Bell Tower, etc...). We receive a substantial amount of revenue from the 16th Street Mall. Having a larger downtown population should help offset the drop in business caused by work from home.

Alchemist · #**13117** Posted **Jul 1, 2022, 7:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rds70

A little more information from BusinessDen regarding the proposed 53 story tower at 17th and Champa: https://businessden.com/2022/07/01/aimco...ry-tower-rising-from-downtown-buildings/

It would involve conversion of the two historic building into residential. Construction could start in 2024.

If you want some idea on how it might look, go here…page 168-19.

https://issuu.com/trybaarchitects/docs/201030_master_20portfolio_issuu

SirLucasTheGreat · #**13118** Posted **Jul 1, 2022, 7:35 PM**

I think it's a good looking building. It would be fairly prominent when viewing the skyline from the West

wong21fr · #**13119** Posted **Jul 1, 2022, 8:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirLucasTheGreat

I think it's a good looking building. It would be fairly prominent when viewing the skyline from the West

Put this and Greystar's proposal in the skyline and I'd be happy.

What doesn't make me happy is this would probably spell the end of Cobbler's Corner. Where else am I going to get my shoes resoled?

Paulopolis · #**13120** Posted **Jul 1, 2022, 9:46 PM**

Shoebox. It’s in one of the carts between Cleveland and Court on 16th. It’s owned by a nice British guy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wong21fr

Put this and Greystar's proposal in the skyline and I'd be happy.

What doesn't make me happy is this would probably spell the end of Cobbler's Corner. Where else am I going to get my shoes resoled?