DENVER | Main Development Thread #6

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by DenverInfill

I agree about the siding.

If you want to blame someone, blame them:
http://www.pmrg.com/
http://gdainet.com/index.html

Checking out their website more closely (than last time) it doesn't appear all that robust but what they have done with (now) four multifamily projects all seem quite nice.

For example, The Heights at Park Lane in Dallas looks very nice at night. That happens to be a mixed-use project. But in this photo the exterior materials don't look any nicer. Now, the interiors where people actually live, look sharp.

It's probably fair to say that if they weren't going to spend their money on the exterior for a mid-town Dallas project which is similar to Cherry Creek, then they weren't likely to do it in Denver.

[CherryCreek]

Originally Posted by DenverInfill

I agree about the siding.

One nit to pick about your comment however, and it's not just you but it's ubiquitous on social media, comment sections, and this forum: who is this "Denver" you speak of? There is no Denver the developer, unless it's a municipal building. In this case, Confluence is being developed by a Texas developer who hired a Texas architect. As long as the building's design meets the zoning code and building code requirements, "Denver" doesn't have much say in what the building looks like or the materials that are used on it.

If you want to blame someone, blame them:

http://www.pmrg.com/
http://gdainet.com/index.html

Of course you are right about the national nature of development and architecture and design.

I can live with crappy construction and design on generic infill projects such as much of what we get in the north Larimer area, but too bad to see crappy design or material selection on what should be a premier project that will be so visible and prominent on our skyline.

[Boquillas]

Originally Posted by CherryCreek

Uhmmm... wtf..???

What the hell is that siding??? For a 30 floor building????? It looks like some cheap plastic laminated siding my grandparents used to have on the $100 dollar Sears toolshed they had in the back. And why the hell would you put tiny vertical windows on high rise building facing the downtown skyline and/or a beautiful park???????? Where the hell is Denver finding all of his architects and building designers?? Some drug rehab program??

Ee gads!!

I think there's a "radius lightening" effect on the bottoms of those panels causing them to look like cheap flexible vinyl siding. It's an artifact of the "shadows/highlights" image adjustment settings in Photoshop. The rest of the image is full of it, such as the dark blue sky lightening where it meets the crane on the right, etc.

[transistor]

I'm probably done with RTD forever with what happened today. I arrive at Broadway station at like 6 pm to find that my 125 cc scooter is missing. Besides that there are like three cars with busted out windows and tail lights right next to where I had left it. I talk to the police officer there taking reports and he says that the cameras are too far away to see what happened and that the closest one will only show somebody leaving on my scooter. I have no faith that it will be returned to me.

Half-heartedly: Is there somebody I could sue for this?

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by comoneymaker

Try not to poop yourselves.

https://vimeo.com/147510443
https://vimeo.com/166437624

Somehow I missed this... glad I went looking for something.

Love the 1st linked video; waay . Given the resolution going full-screen works great; better proportion.

Originally Posted by Robert.hampton

It looks like Historic Denver/CHUN is pushing to oppose the non-historic designation of the Smileys laundromat at Downing/Colfax. Honestly that building isnt worth saving, and the renderings that included incorporation of the building just seemed awkward. I hope they go ahead with the tear down.

Sounds like a bunch of neighborhood groups are also petitioning city council to ban micro apartments (or at leas the no parking requirements attached to them). That should be interesting.

Photo/Denver7 reporter Jennifer Kovaleski

"Community fights to save historic art deco building on Colfax Avenue"
Jun 1, 2016 by Jennifer Kovaleski - 7News Denver

DENVER - A nonprofit group is fighting to preserve the architecture of Colfax Avenue by saving a historic art deco building that has been a part of the community for more than 80 years.

"It sits right on the street, it has great windows, architectural quality that's hard to achieve today," said Annie Levinski, executive director of Historic Denver.

I had plum forgot about this building; it's been a very long time. Don't recall it being a "landmark" quality building. That said, it certainly is iconic for reflecting the gritty life and times on East Colfax.

So what makes the building worth saving?

"A lot of people just really identify this building as one that really matters to the Colfax identity," said Levinski.

Built in 1932, Levinski said the old Smiley's Laundromat is one of the only depression-era art deco buildings left in Denver.

"The zig zag bays on the front, the string courses of bricks along the sides, the large storefront windows," she further explained, "this was a street car line which was one of the most popular and important car lines in Denver."

So they want to replace this with a building full of modern day micro-apartments?

Can't we come up with a better solution?

However, after hearing from the community, the company's Vice President, Tim Bertoch, told Denver7 they decided to change course and withdrew its certificate of non-historic status.

Bertoch said they are now working with the community and Historic Denver to try and come up with a solution that works for everyone.

[comoneymaker]

Originally Posted by transistor

I'm probably done with RTD forever with what happened today. I arrive at Broadway station at like 6 pm to find that my 125 cc scooter is missing. Besides that there are like three cars with busted out windows and tail lights right next to where I had left it. I talk to the police officer there taking reports and he says that the cameras are too far away to see what happened and that the closest one will only show somebody leaving on my scooter. I have no faith that it will be returned to me.

Half-heartedly: Is there somebody I could sue for this?

No cause there are signs all over the place saying your shit will prob get jacked. ESPECIALLY at the Broadway station.

[Robert.hampton]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

"A lot of people just really identify this building as one that really matters to the Colfax identity," said Levinski.

Although I stand by the assertion the revised design is far superior to the initial rendering which incorporated the Smileys building, this argument holds a little weight.

People dont give a shit about Smileys because of its architectural significance, they care about it because everyone who has been in Denver for more than 20 years has had a moment around that building where they thought they might die.

Im okay with incorporating the building into the new development as long as a memorial is made to all the hookers, pimps, crack dealers, and vagrants that have given that building its 'history'.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by transistor

I'm probably done with RTD forever with what happened today. I arrive at Broadway station at like 6 pm to find that my 125 cc scooter is missing. Besides that there are like three cars with busted out windows and tail lights right next to where I had left it. I talk to the police officer there taking reports and he says that the cameras are too far away to see what happened and that the closest one will only show somebody leaving on my scooter. I have no faith that it will be returned to me.

Half-heartedly: Is there somebody I could sue for this?

That is disgusting... and soo frustrating (I'm sure).

I wonder how much of a problem they have? Regardless, RTD needs to prioritize having better coverage with higher resolution video surveillance especially at this location.

Originally Posted by comoneymaker

No cause there are signs all over the place saying your shit will prob get jacked. ESPECIALLY at the Broadway station.

This reminds me of a post I didn't make.

Denver Police Department increases hiring
Mar 28, 2016 by April Schildmeyer, Liz Gelardi - 7News Denver

DENVER - The Denver Police Department is nearly doubling the number of officers it planned to hire in 2016.

The decision came after a 'detailed analysis,' a top ranking police official told Denver7's Liz Gelardi.

Instead of hiring 44 officers as originally planned, the department will hire 85.

This comes on the heels of a lot of additional hiring over the last couple of years. This is good.

It's too hard to make relevant comparisons but it's fair to say I've speculated that crime will also be an increasing problem in Denver. Police can never be everywhere but more officers leads to more arrests which then serves as a better deterrent.

Ultimately though RTD needs to provide better security for their customers at Park-N-Rides.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by Robert.hampton

I'm okay with incorporating the building into the new development as long as a memorial is made to all the hookers, pimps, crack dealers, and vagrants that have given that building its 'history'.

I'll cop to the fact that Smiley's was never my 'hood at night.

But I am prepared to take your proposal seriously.
Some day when East Colfax is totally chic (or not) such an iconic, history embracing plaque strategically placed with the building could be the highlight for many a visitor, neighbor and patron.

[ramanboy33]

Originally Posted by transistor

I'm probably done with RTD forever with what happened today. I arrive at Broadway station at like 6 pm to find that my 125 cc scooter is missing. Besides that there are like three cars with busted out windows and tail lights right next to where I had left it. I talk to the police officer there taking reports and he says that the cameras are too far away to see what happened and that the closest one will only show somebody leaving on my scooter. I have no faith that it will be returned to me.

Half-heartedly: Is there somebody I could sue for this?

Sure - you can sue the thief.

[Scottk]

Originally Posted by transistor

I'm probably done with RTD forever with what happened today. I arrive at Broadway station at like 6 pm to find that my 125 cc scooter is missing. Besides that there are like three cars with busted out windows and tail lights right next to where I had left it. I talk to the police officer there taking reports and he says that the cameras are too far away to see what happened and that the closest one will only show somebody leaving on my scooter. I have no faith that it will be returned to me.

Half-heartedly: Is there somebody I could sue for this?

Be thankful your Vespa got stolen because that shit is seriously dangerous.


I almost died on my 50cc piaggio in wash park when some asshole didn't see me and ran his suburban into me.


Sorry about your loss.... But, seriously, be thankful. Vespas are absolute death traps

[transistor]

Originally Posted by ramanboy33

Sure - you can sue the thief.

DPD has never actually caught anyone doing real crimes. Traffic enforcement and making sure teens don't get too rowdy on 16th at mall is their primary interest.

[CherryCreek]

Originally Posted by comoneymaker

No cause there are signs all over the place saying your shit will prob get jacked. ESPECIALLY at the Broadway station.

Why don't they hire a day attendant? Crap at $15 per hour that would be nothing compared to the value added for security and peace of mind of users.

You have people paid to park small lots near Coors field with a lot fewer cars. Give some unemployed person something to do and increase confidence in public transport.

[Interzen]

Originally Posted by transistor

DPD has never actually caught anyone doing real crimes.

They did arrest three separate serial burglars in my neighborhood, that I know of, over the last few months.

[jhwk]

Originally Posted by transistor

DPD has never actually caught anyone doing real crimes. Traffic enforcement and making sure teens don't get too rowdy on 16th at mall is their primary interest.

DPD is stretched pretty thin. If you listen to the scanner on any given Thursday, Friday, or Saturday they have trouble keeping up with all the high priority calls. If your call isn't "in-progress", you will have to wait for hours.

http://www.denverpost.com/2014/06/19/aud...set-specific-goals-to-improve-responses/

The numbers back it up - the number of officers has dropped quite a bit despite the population increase.

[transistor]

Originally Posted by jhwk

DPD is stretched pretty thin. If you listen to the scanner on any given Thursday, Friday, or Saturday they have trouble keeping up with all the high priority calls. If your call isn't "in-progress", you will have to wait for hours.

http://www.denverpost.com/2014/06/19/aud...set-specific-goals-to-improve-responses/

The numbers back it up - the number of officers has dropped quite a bit despite the population increase.

They have the manpower to do this. They could maybe devote some of it for real crimes.

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/05/28/pr...ce-over-sitting-on-the-16th-street-mall/

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by transistor

They have the manpower to do this. They could maybe devote some of it for real crimes.
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/05/28/pr...ce-over-sitting-on-the-16th-street-mall/

That's a great link and good video coverage, Thanks

Protesters Clash With Police Over Sitting On The 16th Street Mall
May 28, 2016 By Kelly Werthmann - CBS4 Denver

DENVER (CBS4) – A handful of people were issued citations, some even arrested, Friday afternoon for sitting on the sidewalk on the 16th Street Mall.

Shelle Clarke lives downtown and said she sees large groups of people sitting along the pedestrian mall frequently. She said there are plenty of other places for people to sit.

“People can’t get through,” Clarke said. “There’s litter everywhere, it is filthy. It detracts from this beautiful state and the city,” Clarke said.

This is exhibit 'A' for why the 16th Street Mall is fighting for its life.

The more that loitering and vagrancy are tolerated the more people with nothing-better-to-do will come and congregate. It can literally draw the "young and restless" from all over the city to come and join in.

If you are a tenant along the Mall providing a few good jobs and hoping for enough income to pay the rent on your retail space and scratch out a living then you would know how important not scaring away good customers is. If those who visit and live or work downtown don't find the Mall a pleasant experience then it will die.

[navyweaxguy]

The mall is the biggest tourist draw and an integral part of the financial heart of the city. Of course DPD is going to focus on that and not other areas as much.

[mojiferous]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

This is exhibit 'A' for why the 16th Street Mall is fighting for its life.

The more that loitering and vagrancy are tolerated the more people with nothing-better-to-do will come and congregate. It can literally draw the "young and restless" from all over the city to come and join in.

I have worked on or near the mall since 1996 (in both retail and office), and I would say that the mall is cleaner, safer, and busier now than it ever has been. Especially at night. It's no magical-Disney-suburban-safety-wonderland free of problems like the local news suggests it should be, but what actual urban places are?

If anything the "young loser kid" demographic on the mall has actually decreased over the years, especially since they aren't the only ones out after dark now.

[corey]

If the panels on the Confluence are a heavy gauge steel that won't get dented by hail then I'm okay with it. I think overall the building will still look good. The Art Deco building on Colfax was renovated a few years ago. Do they now want to demolish it? I like the intricate brickwork on that building. They don't do masonry like that today. The building looked better before the renovation sucked all the character out of it. It was originally beige brick and now it is a depressing gray. They also replaced very cool Art Deco exterior light fixtures with very lame modern ones. I hope an architectural salvor saved the light fixtures. See. Some developers just suck.