It's not too early to begin thinking about the election this fall. Much more will be on the ballot than the race for US President. Cherry Creek Perspective invites you to consider Bill James for Director of RTD District A - essentially southeast Denver and Glendale. As RTD is challenged by increasing costs and economic uncertainties, it needs board members with transportation management experience to maintain its position as one of the best run transit agencies in the country. Go to www.billjames4rt d.com to find out more information. And reply to this email with your suggestions for RTD and the campaign, or just your permission to put a yard sign on your property.

Denver Botanic Gardens is moving forward with its plans to build a parking structure and other facilities and amenities. Phase I of an $80 million plan will be funded by $18.6 million in bonds approved by voters last fall and include a visitor center, a new greenhouse and upgrade of irrigation system. Phase II will include the parking structure, a pedestrian bridge to the main Gardens entrance, a Children's Garden and a member access gate from Cheeseman Park. Phase II will be funded by private donations and $15 million in Certificates of Participation provided with the assistance of the City of Denver. The parking structure will have two levels underground with access from York Street and the pedestrian bridge will be from the second above-ground level of the structure which will also house some ticketing. The entire redevelopment is intended to make Denver Botanic Gardens one of the most "ecologically friendly" in the country. Incidentally, Denver Public Works is also looking at straightening the S-curve on southbound York Street, just south of the Botanic Gardens and will likely coordinate with the DBG redevelopment plan.

The Denver City Council advanced the redevelopment of the Denver Union Station into a multimodal transportation hub for the FasTracks public transportation system this week with the approval of the creation of the Denver Union Station Project Authority. The authority will act as a vehicle for financing and governance of the project. It will be allowed to pursue tax-increment financing for the project as well as generate additional revenue for the project, which could go as high as $60 million.

Colorado Free University is moving its headquarters from its long time location at Colfax/York Streets to its auxiliary location in the former fire station at the Lowry Redevelopment. Some classes will remain at Colfax/York.

Recently the Cherry Creek North Neighborhood Association reported to its members that Representative Diana DeGette called a meeting to assess progress in finding a new location for the Cherry Creek North Post Office which is due to be closed by September. The meeting included various representatives of the post office, Denver Council Member Jeanne Robb and members of the CCNNA Board. According to the report, a post office has to meet various requirements with respect to dedicated employee and customer parking, loading dock, large vehicle access, etc. Given the relatively small size of the business district, the number of locations meeting these criteria is limited. And the people in charge of the relocation process at the Post Office "don't seem to be trying very hard." And it will likely take 2 years before a new post office is operational. Rep. DeGette reportedly made several helpful suggestions and explained to the post office people that not finding a new site in Cherry Creek was not an option (her words).