DENVER | Main Development Thread #7

[mojiferous]

Originally Posted by bunt_q

That’s the only thing that irks me about the fee - we don’t need the money.

Proper maintenance and cleaning would be helpful - I drove through Germany, Austria, and Italy earlier in the spring and had forgotten what roads looked like in a first world country. Even in tiny rural mountain towns the pavement was nice and smooth and drivable and not pockmarked with holes and random piles of trash. Some of our local streets resemble 4WD paths in the mountains.

[bunt_q]

Originally Posted by mojiferous

Proper maintenance and cleaning would be helpful - I drove through Germany, Austria, and Italy earlier in the spring and had forgotten what roads looked like in a first world country. Even in tiny rural mountain towns the pavement was nice and smooth and drivable and not pockmarked with holes and random piles of trash. Some of our local streets resemble 4WD paths in the mountains.

100%.

Leave it to others to decide whether some of the starvation is intentional neglect.

[Ich]

Look like Fox Park and WTC broke ground this week. Glad to see that moving forward.

https://www.trybaarchitects.com/news/fox-park-world-trade-center-groundbreaking-ceremony

[TakeFive]

A whole new transportation system

Originally Posted by bunt_q

But raising the gas tax was seen as politically untenable. I guess that was before a pandemic trained us all to have literally everything delivered.

I am curious whether this eliminates the “part of my Amazon order arrived earlier” convenience we’ve come to know and love. If they split an order now, I believe they have to eat the additional fee they didn’t charge me. So it slows stuff down, too, I think?

But it is going to generate oodles of transportation money. Should be good for bike lanes (that will slow down the UPS truck even more) since we don’t do roads anymore. That’s the only thing that irks me about the fee - we don’t need the money.

The irony has been that RTD has their own generous dedicated revenue stream; and what percentage of people do they move? lol

The irony of the supposed "user" tax/fee is that the middleman - carriers aren't going to eat that; they simply pass it on to the customer or business. They probably itemize it on the 'Way Bill.'

Rideshare - Luxury or Necessity?

For many people it's a lifeline for accepting the job offer they found on Indeed.com or ZipRecruiter. For women it's their convenient, comfy, security ride to work; tons of women who choose rideshare would not ride a bus (so it's better than all of them driving to work).

Consider that (when I drive) I'll get two to three trips an hour. It's hardly an efficient way to move a lot of people.

Downtown Denver Commuters

With a rapidly growing population/density, common sense tells me a shuttle-style service would work best for downtown residents. I see where RTD has ordered 17 New Flyer, 40-foot zero-emission buses. Why not have shuttle service utilizing 30-foot Electric buses circulating all day long through all that density. This would be separate from, in addition to more standard commuter service which would be much less frequent.

The new work model should be reflected in transit service

There appears to be new work model of going into the office (downtown) three days a week; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, especially for tech companies. This will vary depending on type of business. If this does become an embedded pattern it would only make sense to run more service on the heavy days and less on the less busy day - for commuters.

Just my opinion

As we presumably head into a period of stagflation in will be important to find efficiencies and better manage transit costs.

[TakeFive]

That's a cool link

Originally Posted by Ich

Look like Fox Park and WTC broke ground this week. Glad to see that moving forward.

https://www.trybaarchitects.com/news/fox-park-world-trade-center-groundbreaking-ceremony

It's good to see progress for that project even if 'going vertical' will be decided next summer. Gotta do the prep before getting REALLY serious.

[bunt_q]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

A whole new transportation system

The irony has been that RTD has their own generous dedicated revenue stream; and what percentage of people do they move? lol

The irony of the supposed "user" tax/fee is that the middleman - carriers aren't going to eat that; they simply pass it on to the customer or business. They probably itemize it on the 'Way Bill.'

Rideshare - Luxury or Necessity?

For many people it's a lifeline for accepting the job offer they found on Indeed.com or ZipRecruiter. For women it's their convenient, comfy, security ride to work; tons of women who choose rideshare would not ride a bus (so it's better than all of them driving to work).

Consider that (when I drive) I'll get two to three trips an hour. It's hardly an efficient way to move a lot of people.

Downtown Denver Commuters

With a rapidly growing population/density, common sense tells me a shuttle-style service would work best for downtown residents. I see where RTD has ordered 17 New Flyer, 40-foot zero-emission buses. Why not have shuttle service utilizing 30-foot Electric buses circulating all day long through all that density. This would be separate from, in addition to more standard commuter service which would be much less frequent.

The new work model should be reflected in transit service

There appears to be new work model of going into the office (downtown) three days a week; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, especially for tech companies. This will vary depending on type of business. If this does become an embedded pattern it would only make sense to run more service on the heavy days and less on the less busy day - for commuters.

Just my opinion

As we presumably head into a period of stagflation in will be important to find efficiencies and better manage transit costs.

Article for TakeFive: https://denverite.com/2022/07/14/denver-...,around%20the%20world%20from%20NetCredit.

Anecdotally, I do not know anybody who uses rideshare in the way you describe. Granted, that's not much of a dataset. But it could be related to the pricing.

[laniroj]

Originally Posted by Fritzdude

Wow.. this would be a large area to infill once the Pepsi bottling plant moves away. The access to the river is awsome! Is it a general understanding that this could be a 'potential' location of any future Bronco's stadium in case Mr.Walton decides to build a new SuperBowl worthy site..?

Gotta think - this would be a pretty cool area for something like this.

I would totally vote for a new stadium here. Reminds me of the location in Minneapolis where the vikings put there star wars stands. Not sure it's quite big enough if parking is a main driver, but could be a helluva location!

[SirLucasTheGreat]

It would be an incredible location. I wonder if they could acquire any other adjacent land to make room for sufficient parking (RTD, Westfield, etc...). Even if they could lease the parking lot from the National Western Coliseum, that would help.

[jimijam35]

they could tear down the denver colisuem move out the forney museum- plenty of land- parking would be north of the 170.. stock show gets a new stadium too use.. but my first choice would redo current stadium like they did in Madrid (real madrid)

[TakeFive]

Did I ever tell you Ken and I are best buddies?

Originally Posted by bunt_q

Article for TakeFive: https://denverite.com/2022/07/14/denver-...,around%20the%20world%20from%20NetCredit.

Anecdotally, I do not know anybody who uses rideshare in the way you describe. Granted, that's not much of a dataset. But it could be related to the pricing.

I looked at that article, laughed and moved on.

So, like Ken, I decided to do a little digging. They based their fares on a 6.2 mile trip claiming Denver charges the equivalent of $5.50 per mile. Holy Schnitt, wish I could make half of that. I get paid 61 cents a mile and 17 cents a minute plus 30 cents. Depending on specific trip it will vary some but generally I'll make about $1 per mile with Uber charging roughly double that (I do well on tips which will add maybe another 25% to what I make).

My 1st guess is that number is likely, at least with Denver, a 2021 fare. A year ago riders starting coming back but drivers were harder to find so fares were often 'surging.' The figure for Phoenix which is half as much still feels a bit high for summer 2022. I didn't start back up until last October.

It's also possible they tested at a time when Denver was slammed with tourists and if if was a year ago that number could be believable given the specific sampling.

The other point is that they specifically sampled city centers so that sample covers about 15% of the market. Most rides are suburb to suburb.

I employ different strategies on different days for variety (although once I get started I end up anywhere the App sends me). Phoenix has a huge area of lower socioeconomic people that are the nicest people in the world. I may not make as much as when I work Scottsdale but bonuses which are key to making money are based on total number of trips so it doesn't matter where or how much I make per trip. Generally I avoid downtown Phoenix like the plague although Uber pays a bit more for working the area. Don't care, downtown is too much of a hassle and too slow.

BTW, if you have the App, you could do your own sampling that's totally up-to-date.

[TakeFive]

With respect to the Broncos

I thought this was very interesting. Who knew she lived in Denver?

Rob Walton issued the following statement on behalf of the Walton-Penner ownership group on Monday:

“We’re pleased to welcome former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to our ownership group. A highly respected public servant, accomplished academic and corporate leader, Secretary Rice is well known as a passionate and knowledgeable football fan who has worked to make the sport stronger and better. She is the daughter of a football coach and served on the inaugural College Football Playoff Committee. She moved to Denver with her family when she was 12 years old and went on to attend the University of Denver for both college and graduate school. Her unique experience and extraordinary judgment will be a great benefit to our group and the Broncos organization.”

So far as where the stadium is located, bunt has aptly pointed out how few days the stadium is utilized.

[TakeFive]

Props to Denver for not being on the dangerous driving list

Most car crashes per 100,000 miles driven

1. Philadelphia
2. San Francisco
3. New York
4. Los Angeles
5. Houston
6. Chicago
7. San Diego
8. Las Vegas
9. Dallas
10. Seattle
11. Phoenix

Source

Wait for all those under construction projects to complete. Streets could complete a scene out of Taxi.

[gopokes21]

New Park Hill Golf Course masterplan just got dropped:

https://parkhillgolfcoursereimagined.info/#development



I think this is awesome. The new park portion alone would become the 4th largest park in Denver.

[bunt_q]

Originally Posted by gopokes21

the new park portion alone would become the 4th largest park in denver.

But it could be bigger. You developer-schill. You earth-hater. Rahhhhh.

[EngiNerd]

Originally Posted by bunt_q

But it could be bigger. You developer-schill. You earth-hater. Rahhhhh.

Don't forget about the buildings across the park blocking views of the mountains...

[Sam Hill]

Originally Posted by EngiNerd

Don't forget about the buildings across the park blocking views of the mountains...

I just read a poorly written Denverite article about this plan. The last half of the article read like an opinion piece in opposition to the plan. The last section, entitled, “here’s what people who live nearby think about the plan,” only included anti-development comments. First comment: “It blocks the view of the mountains! I wanna see mountains, not buildings! Waaaaah!”

I’m paraphrasing.

[Brainpathology]

Originally Posted by Sam Hill

I just read a poorly written Denverite article about this plan. The last half of the article read like an opinion piece in opposition to the plan. The last section, entitled, “here’s what people who live nearby think about the plan,” only included anti-development comments. First comment: “It blocks the view of the mountains! I wanna see mountains, not buildings! Waaaaah!”

I’m paraphrasing.

Because of our forward thinking efficient government here in Florida there isn't a single building in the ENTIRE state which robs its neighbors of mountain views.

[Dallas Snob]

OMG! SO FUNNY! For those of us who are geographically challenged, its because there ARE no mountains in Florida. Having said that though, you do hear on occassion whwn the ocean view is going to be blocked. Ive heard the mountain view issue in several cities ive lived in; Seattle, Salt Lake and Burlington, Vt to name a few...although in Burlington its the mountains AND the lake. I never understood it though. Perhaps because i have actual intelligence.

[DenvertoLA]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Props to Denver for not being on the dangerous driving list

Most car crashes per 100,000 miles driven

1. Philadelphia
2. San Francisco
3. New York
4. Los Angeles
5. Houston
6. Chicago
7. San Diego
8. Las Vegas
9. Dallas
10. Seattle
11. Phoenix

Source

Wait for all those under construction projects to complete. Streets could complete a scene out of Taxi.

Ahhh I loved to rub this in the face of all the anti weed moms haha

[TakeFive]

Cherry Creek developer jumps on trend of offices leaving downtown with new project
Jul 19, 2022 By Kate Tracy – Reporter , Denver Business Journal

"Why would we commute downtown when we can be right here: safe, clean, with all these walkable amenities?"

Office space is trending in Cherry Creek. After seeing the demand left over from pre-leasing one of its other projects, real estate firm BMC Investments is building yet another new office building in the Denver neighborhood. “You look at the amount of demand: we probably have three-four times the demand as there is available trophy, class A office space,” said Jeff Stonger, chief investment officer at BMC.

242 Milwaukee


Rendering courtesy of BMC

BMC Announce 10th Office Project in Cherry Creek North
July 19, 2022 - Mile High CRE

The new seven-story project will be built at 242 Milwaukee Street and BMC recently acquired the adjacent site (240 Milwaukee Street), completing an assemblage of a roughly .43-acre site consisting of 240, 242 and 246 Milwaukee Street. BMC recently began the design process and is targeting a Q1 2023 groundbreaking with anticipated completion in Q4 2024.

The architect for the project is 4240 Architecture and the contractor is Haselden Construction. BMC has engaged the same team it put together on 255 Fillmore, its other Class A office building in Cherry Creek, which has already experienced significant leasing success.

Don't miss Ryan Dravitz's Cherry Creek Roundup JUL 2022

Lot's going on and he covers the landscape like a champ.