DENVER | Main Development Thread #7

[EngiNerd]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Three Strikes and then it's still not the end of the world

My knowledge of the city center/neighborhoods goes back to the early 1980's. Post-white flight, it was one of the more affordable places to live.

Ironically, downtown office building construction was booming. At that time most employees drove in from the suburbs. But it was also a fun place to hang out given all the new activity and the O&G boom.

To an extent those were the 'good ole days,' a city life that no longer exists.

Only during the day and on weekends, no one hung out downtown at night except the "winos" and a few adventurous types.

As a suburban white kid of the 80s who's father worked downtown, I remember hanging out at my dad's office in the Park Central building and playing around in the Skyline Park fountains, going to the Tabor Center at Christmas Time, parades, etc....but that was about the extent of time that we (and pretty much anyone of the suburban types) would hang out downtown. Even as a kid, I remember being told we don't stay downtown past dark (unless you were heading to a Petroleum Club event, I wasn't old enough for those...)

No way those were the "good ole days" of Downtown Denver, it was a place for city "getaways", but not city life.

[BG918]

Originally Posted by EngiNerd

Only during the day and on weekends, no one hung out downtown at night except the "winos" and a few adventurous types.

As a suburban white kid of the 80s who's father worked downtown, I remember hanging out at my dad's office in the Park Central building and playing around in the Skyline Park fountains, going to the Tabor Center at Christmas Time, parades, etc....but that was about the extent of time that we (and pretty much anyone of the suburban types) would hang out downtown. Even as a kid, I remember being told we don't stay downtown past dark (unless you were heading to a Petroleum Club event, I wasn't old enough for those...)

No way those were the "good ole days" of Downtown Denver, it was a place for city "getaways", but not city life.

Ha sounds almost identical to my adolescent life growing up in Tulsa, even the Petroleum Club part.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by EngiNerd

Only during the day and on weekends, no one hung out downtown at night except the "winos" and a few adventurous types.

As a suburban white kid of the 80s who's father worked downtown, I remember hanging out at my dad's office in the Park Central building and playing around in the Skyline Park fountains, going to the Tabor Center at Christmas Time, parades, etc....but that was about the extent of time that we (and pretty much anyone of the suburban types) would hang out downtown. Even as a kid, I remember being told we don't stay downtown past dark (unless you were heading to a Petroleum Club event, I wasn't old enough for those...)

No way those were the "good ole days" of Downtown Denver, it was a place for city "getaways", but not city life.

Funny; interesting; I wouldn't disagree with what you say but we come from different perspectives. For most, I'd agree that downtown was mainly a 9 to 5 place.

The 1980's were a tale of two halves. I think it was the 3rd quarter of 1986 when they changed the tax laws for depreciation. In today's $'s I probably had the equivalent of over $300,000 in commissions on deals set to close in the fourth quarter. I believe I ended up making $15,000. Everything else cratered.

The 1st half of the 1980's saw oil & gas guys crawling the happy hour bars downtown as well as many dinner spots.

But generally I'd agree with your point of "Only during the day and on weekends" and I also specified "city center/neighborhoods." I didn't usually stay out late during the week but grabbing a lunch along So Broadway wasn't unusual. For weekends or Wednesday nights which was always "Ladies Night" there was a number of near downtown places. Racines started out at 850 Bannock on the corner of Speer and Bannock in 1983. Then there was Governors Park, Larimer Square and Manhattan Cafe (for one) in LoDo.

Downtown died in 1987 with what we called see-through buildings for unleased space in new building that had no blinds. But things slowly improved and then Coors Field opened in April of 1995.

"Good ole days" (to me) in the sense that it was affordable and there were plenty of places to eat and party. Spent many a late night eating breakfast at (one of the) White Spots.

So very different perspectives, both of them accurate.

[BG918]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Funny; interesting; I wouldn't disagree with what you say but we come from different perspectives. For most, I'd agree that downtown was mainly a 9 to 5 place.

The 1980's were a tale of two halves. I think it was the 3rd quarter of 1986 when they changed the tax laws for depreciation. In today's $'s I probably had the equivalent of over $300,000 in commissions on deals set to close in the fourth quarter. I believe I ended up making $15,000. Everything else cratered.

The 1st half of the 1980's saw oil & gas guys crawling the happy hour bars downtown as well as many dinner spots.

But generally I'd agree with your point of "Only during the day and on weekends" and I also specified "city center/neighborhoods." I didn't usually stay out late during the week but grabbing a lunch along So Broadway wasn't unusual. For weekends or Wednesday nights which was always "Ladies Night" there was a number of near downtown places. Racines started out at 850 Bannock on the corner of Speer and Bannock in 1983. Then there was Governors Park, Larimer Square and Manhattan Cafe (for one) in LoDo.

Downtown died in 1987 with what we called see-through buildings for unleased space in new building that had no blinds. But things slowly improved and then Coors Field opened in April of 1995.

"Good ole days" (to me) in the sense that it was affordable and there were plenty of places to eat and party. Spent many a late night eating breakfast at (one of the) White Spots.

So very different perspectives, both of them accurate.

This was also a time when most of the late-night partying was happening not downtown but in Glendale or a handful of neighborhood spots around Wash Park, Cherry Creek and on Colfax.

[COtoOC]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Belleview Station area is cooking

That is one nice-looking Alexan.

6900 Layton


February BizDen file photo

https://businessden.com/2020/08/28/new-d...00-layton-lands-72994-square-foot-lease/

Some might recall that Newmont (mining) Corp. is moving their HQ to this building. They are leasing 142,000 Sq Ft.

The top three floors are still available so call me in the morning, we can talk turkey.

Is that 20 something story building still going up where the extended stay was? I drove by the other day and forgot to pay attention.

[Matt]

Block 162 photographed over the last few days:

Sunrise (notice Wells Fargo Center casting a shadow on Republic Plaza):





Nighttime. We now have aircraft warning lights!

[laniroj]

Originally Posted by Matt

[SIZE="5"][B]Block 162 photographed over the last few days:

Imagine if the center of that mechanical well extended 2-3 stories above the edges how much sharper this building would look, even as a shorty! Looks great nonetheless and hopefully they find some techies to anchor it.

[seventwenty]

Originally Posted by The Dirt

Seriously. Not that Hancock or most of council is great, but they really don't have as much power as everyone seems to think. The solutions here from the "I was in downtown for the first time in 6 months" crowd are also pretty myopic. You just don't want to see homeless people, right? Maybe we should bus them out to Cherry Hills because when you sweep problems under the rug, that solves them.

I'd love to see Cherry Hills muni court deal with the homeless.

Though if it's anything like Boulder muni a few years back, plea offers on littering tickets will be 8 days jail because my client missed court 8 days ago and he has 8 prior littering tickets. If we set the case for trial, he sits in jail for 30 days until the charge is magically dropped.

[BG918]

Originally Posted by COtoOC

Is that 20 something story building still going up where the extended stay was? I drove by the other day and forgot to pay attention.

They dug a big hole then put the project on hold after COVID hit. Who knows what will end up happening with that site.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by Matt

Sunrise (notice Wells Fargo Center casting a shadow on Republic Plaza):

Thanks for the photos and nifty shadow.

Originally Posted by BG918

This was also a time when most of the late-night partying was happening not downtown but in Glendale or a handful of neighborhood spots around Wash Park, Cherry Creek and on Colfax.

Yup, Glendale/Cherry Cherry Creek mostly before I started to get to know the downtown area. Which got me to thinking...

The few, the proud that have proved the test of time

Old Favorites still serving:

• The Cherry Cricket; Racines; Blue Bonnet; Imperial Chinese Restaurant;
• Sam's No. 3; Charlie Brown's; Wynkoop Brewing; Denver Diner
• New Saigon Restaurant; Sushi Den;
• Bonnie Brae Tavern; Mustard's Last Stand II

While I've been to upscale places I've always had a fondness for hole-in-the-wall, dive places that offered good food and drink. Racines has closed recently and Bonnie Brae has limited time before redevelopment. I've been to classics like The Buckhorn Exchange, My Brother's Bar and Wazee Supper Club and Gaetano's but they weren't places I frequented.

[SirLucasTheGreat]

Looks like the site near Alameda and Bannock is definitely in full out ground breaking mode. Hopefully the Broadway Park area makes up for the lack of action at Broadway Station.

[Paulopolis]

I believe the three-story apartment building at 31st and Zuni has also broken ground.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by SirLucasTheGreat

Looks like the site near Alameda and Bannock is definitely in full out ground breaking mode. Hopefully the Broadway Park area makes up for the lack of action at Broadway Station.

Right on schedule. That project was announced in April by AMLI Res who develops from their own pot of money.


Image and article via Mile High CRE (subject property on right)

Originally Posted by Paulopolis

I believe the three-story apartment building at 31st and Zuni has also broken ground.

This one has to be an apartment complex with 111 units by Infinity Property Collection.


Image and article via BusinessDen

[TakeFive]

Tree Tutorial


Image per Mile High CRE

'Build the Canopy’ Grants Available to Property Owners in Downtown Denver
September 9, 2020 - Mile High CRE

This grant program, created by the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, and City and County of Denver, with funding support from private donors, has the goal of building a robust tree canopy downtown. An urban forest can provide our city with numerous environmental, economic, and health benefits when it is mature.

Easier said than done.

Due to the nature of planting trees in the city, installing planting areas can be costly; the grant helps to offset these costs. ... Partial grants are available to property owners in downtown Denver to be used for expanding tree planting areas and/or installing new tree planting spaces including costs for concrete work, soil remediation, suspended pavement systems, tree planting and installation, and other tree-related work.

So how much money can I get?

Properties may qualify for up to $15,000 per tree area to make these improvements.

H/T to Mile High CRE

[TakeFive]

Even cranes are going COVID crazy

LIVE: 22 people injured, crane operator still suspended after East Austin crane collision
September 16, 2020 By Paul Livengood - KVUE-ABC Austin

Crews were working to rescue a crane operator who was in one of the two cranes. Officials said the crane operator was not in any danger and was serving as a "secondary safety." ... AFD crews have deployed two drones to gather a 360-degree view of the entanglement of the drone so officials can make determinations on how to proceed.

Photo credit: John Gusky - KVUE Austin

[The Dirt]

Dude, quit killing our no-post streaks. We could have been post-free since 9/3. That would have been a great record. Time to let this forum die already.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by The Dirt

Dude, quit killing our no-post streaks. We could have been post-free since 9/3. That would have been a great record. Time to let this forum die already.

Hell, 9/3 is when the last post on the occurred on the Development Denver subReddit. The last post on Denver Infill was on 8/27.

It's time to let Denver die.

[jbssfelix]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Even cranes are going COVID crazy

LIVE: 22 people injured, crane operator still suspended after East Austin crane collision
September 16, 2020 By Paul Livengood - KVUE-ABC Austin

Thanks for the update on my old neighborhood and city...wait, which forum am I in again?

[RyanD]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

The last post on Denver Infill was on 8/27.

It's time to let Denver die.

Have ya looked at the weather outside? I'm not taking pictures with an AQI of 160+ and smoke. I love development but not the black lung.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by RyanD

Have ya looked at the weather outside? I'm not taking pictures with an AQI of 160+ and smoke. I love development but not the black lung.

I've been stuck in my basement office for the last six months. Are the mountains still there?