Denver Development Etceteras Thread #5

[The Dirt]

Originally Posted by Fritzdude

Why are you guys getting so riled up about zoning conflicts in the Highlands? It's a tiny burb of Denver. If their residents put up such a fuss, maybe developers will decide to invest in Arapahoe Square or The Golden Triange instead. Let them bicker; it just means other areas of Denver will benefit in the long run, which is probably more ideal anyway..

Because it sets a precedent for every subsequent neighborhood zoning fight across all of Denver - something that 10 years of effort put into the new zoning law should have done away with.


On another note, I found this article interesting http://yourhub.denverpost.com/lakewo...ource=DPWidget

Looks like the corner north of Alameda across from Belmar will get redeveloped. I'm hoping for a continuation of mixed-use building and higher density residential. 10 years down the road, Lakewood might actually have a downtown.

[bunt_q]

Originally Posted by The Dirt

Looks like the corner north of Alameda across from Belmar will get redeveloped. I'm hoping for a continuation of mixed-use building and higher density residential. 10 years down the road, Lakewood might actually have a downtown.

I wouldn't count on it:

Development options for the site include a Walgreen’s, a bank and green space with landscaping.

“Walgreen’s has every intent to put a store there … at least I think so,” Rice said.

If the company keeps to the schedule discussed with the city, demolition and construction could start late spring to early summer.

Key Bank is another business interested in the site, officials said. A hotel could be built on the area, but currently there are no plans for one.


I suppose it's possible. But a Walgreens would be a most unconventional place to start for a medium density mixed use development.

[The Dirt]

Originally Posted by Okayyou

Nice find, I didn't know they were switching to a 45 degree view. Boulder was updated too. I can see my car outside my place. I moved here in late Aug so the imagery must be from Sep or Oct, trees and grass are still pretty green.

What happened to your badass views from one of the Pinnacle towers? Anyway, good for Boulder that you're there.

[SnyderBock]

I doubt they are talking about a 24-hour, urban design Walgreens? Because that could anchor a nice medium density, mix-use development.

[Okayyou]

Originally Posted by The Dirt

What happened to your badass views from one of the Pinnacle towers? Anyway, good for Boulder that you're there.

I'm renting it while I rent up here. The views are still there, someone else gets to enjoy them while I'm here for school. Boulder changed a lot during the 6 years I was gone. Now, I don't think there is a single decent sized project underway.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by bunt_q

I wouldn't count on it:

I suppose it's possible. But a Walgreens would be a most unconventional place to start for a medium density mixed use development.

This site has been designated "transitional" from old school to new school.

It will be nice to see this mess cleaned up in any event. ("No one spoke during public comment Dec. 16, a rarity during a rezoning hearing...")

[sashyenka]

Since I'm leaving for Portugal this week, I figured I would take some parting shots of Denver...which included some of the construction going on:

Has anybody seen the matching cross street posts on 14th? I think they look a little bit better than the 14th St posts, but they're still a little awkward.



And here's an update on the progress of DaVita:

[bunt_q]

Originally Posted by SnyderBock

Here's an article about Denver International's future:
http://www.globalairportcities.com/n...s/thinking-big

From an article Snyder posted in the transportation forum. This caught my eye:

Like the transit centre, the hotel has been designed to harmonise with the iconic, tent-roofed Jeppesen Terminal.

“The rail station will correspond with the terminal by having a tensile membrane structure for a roof system. And the hotel will respond to that through its own design [which resembles] one long bar that dips in the middle and is white in colour, like the tent,” says Jennifer Johnson, managing director at Gensler Denver, the architectural practice responsible for taking the hotel through design development.


I like the sound of that.

[The Dirt]

Originally Posted by sashyenka

Since I'm leaving for Portugal this week, I figured I would take some parting shots of Denver...which included some of the construction going on:

And here's an update on the progress of DaVita:

Nice shots, man! Thanks! DaVita looks almost completed from this side. I kept judging the progress by the 16th-facing side of the building, forgetting that it was months behind the others due to the removal of old light rail tracks.

[pablosan]

DaVita is looking pretty good. Thanks for those updates.

[DownhomeDenver]

this isnt new development but it's re-use of the empty Storz garage!

Steuben's and Vesta group are building a ping-pong hall and Asian restaurant
By Laura Shunk with Westword
Wed., Jan. 18 2012 at 1:59 PM

Click here for article

[Cirrus]

Originally Posted by Fritzdude

Why are you guys getting so riled up about zoning conflicts in the Highlands?

Highlands is one of Denver's core urban neighborhoods. If we shouldn't care about it, what should we care about?

[enjo13]

I assume this has been posted, but I think I missed it:

If you have the chance get to Union Station. It's turned into project awesome (tm). The area in front of the DaVita building is very frenetic with a new temporary crane hanging facade. They construction on the terminal is in full swing. Most importantly, the stuff in front of the station appears to have started! It's all fenced off and they appear to be excavating (it was dark last night so I didn't get a great look).

I'm going to try to find the time to head down there today and take some pics

[glowrock]

I can't wait to get to Denver again, hopefully by September at the latest! Gotta see all the new activity, visit the History Center, Still museum, etc... etc...

Looking at everything going on in Denver from a now-outsider's perspective, it's just amazing, it really is!

Aaron (Glowrock)

[Fritzdude]

Originally Posted by Cirrus

Highlands is one of Denver's core urban neighborhoods. If we shouldn't care about it, what should we care about?

Highlands would rank last on my areas to be concerned about when it comes to Denver development. It's an established neighborhood that will continue to attract people and capital investment whether a 5 story building goes in, or heaven forbid... it has to be scaled back by a floor or two.

The area will still prosper. Now if this issue was in regard to Five Points, Arapoe Square, or the CBD, then I'd care a little bit more.

[Brainpathology]

Originally Posted by Fritzdude

Highlands would rank last on my areas to be concerned about when it comes to Denver development. It's an established neighborhood that will continue to attract people and capital investment whether a 5 story building goes in, or heaven forbid... it has to be scaled back by a floor or two.

The area will still prosper. Now if this issue was in regard to Five Points, Arapoe Square, or the CBD, then I'd care a little bit more.

How ironic would it be if extortion from Highland were successful and sabotaged development in the areas you do care about then.

[RyanD]

I was out taking pictures for DenverInfill and there's always miscellaneous pictures I take.. So here's the front / side of Union Station all fenced off:



And, the Denargo Market project crane is now visible from around the area..

[The Dirt]

Is the South Wing building getting started before the North Wing building?

[TakeFive]

For no particular reason I started musing about all that has changed in and around the Civic Center....

and that was even before I found the Great Update by Ryan D. on the Judicial Center: http://denverinfill.com/blog/2012/01...-update-6.html

Somehow I ended up at the Project for Public Spaces web site: http://www.pps.org/

Civic Centers
Civic centers that encompass and surround public buildings serve as the “front porches” of our public institutions–our post offices, courthouses, museums, libraries and seats of government.
Cities and neighborhoods with thriving civic spaces benefit from a strong sense of community.

Whether the new additions to the neighborhood, the Better Denver Bond improvements, or just thinking of the many annual events that now take place there.....
even if it isn't a fully finished product, it surely has become a gem befitting of the Queen City.

[Fritzdude]

Originally Posted by Brainpathology

How ironic would it be if extortion from Highland were successful and sabotaged development in the areas you do care about then.

First of all, I doubt these other areas could, or would, have the people, resources, and will to contest zoning challenges. Rather, I'm sure they'd welcome almost all types of approved development instead of being particular like the Highlands right now. So, maybe the Developers will take notice and decide to build their 5 story building in Five Points next time around. Either way, the Developers have the city on their side so if they really want to play hardball, then they will likely win.

Second of all, it's not like these zoning guidelines are carved in stone. Even our constitution can be amended by the will of the people, so why can't neighborhoods determine the continual viability of their surroundings? Or did we only have one shot at getting the nuanced zoning regulations correct and from now on the zoning regulations can never be subject to modification? Is there no recourse for change or review? I laugh at the hysterical response of some of you guys... raping babies? C'mon.. do you hear yourself?

If you feel that Highlands will be shooting themselves in the foot and will be missing out on an unbelievable 5 story condo in their midst, then I guess they'll lose out in the long run, won't they? They'll get what's coming to them as Developers will flee while everyone's property value will eventually diminish as a result. You can then say "I told you so" when the Highlands becomes a blighted mess. That will be there bed to make, while other more "stable" areas of the city will win out with more development opportunities.

The ironic thing is that the zoning blueprint was supposed to add predictability to the market, which it predominately will. And I'm sure it'll be nice and easy for 99% of the developments out there, which is a huge improvement to the patchwork grid of bureaucracy that we had before. But there will be snags, such as this one. When that happens, I would hope that zoning isn't viewed in the same manner as the Ten Commandments.