The Central Line marked the return of light rail four decades after the city street trolleys went out of service and removed approximately 430 bus trips from downtown city streets when it opened.  Train capacity was reached almost immediately and surpassed all projected ridership numbers. Passenger demand was so high that RTD had to order six additional trains to keep up with demand. Since the opening of the Central Line, light rail has saved 35 million vehicle trips and 140 million vehicle miles traveled.

 

The project was the beginning of the regional rapid transit system that had been planned for several decades. By building the Central Rail Line, RTD provided an opportunity for people to see what light rail was, what it looked like, and how it easily fit into the community.  Its success led to the opening of the Southeast and Southwest lines and the FasTracks project.  Currently, RTD operates 48 miles of light rail track, 46 stations and 172 vehicles.

 

Two more transit projects are a step closer to reality as the RTD Board of Directors voted to advance the Southeast Rail Line Extension in Douglas County and the bus rapid transit project between Boulder and Longmont. The move was a key step in RTD's effort to receive $92 million in federal funding for the Southeast Rail Line Extension. Completion of the Southeast Rail Line Extension would provide 2.3-miles of additional light rail, two walk-up stations, and move the end of the line station from Lincoln to Ridgegate in Lone Tree. And, as a recommendation from the Northwest Area Mobility Study, plans would be developed on the bus rapid transit route along Colorado 119.

 

RTD has partnered with Car2go, a car sharing program that operates a network of 400 vehicles in the Denver metro area. Members can use the service 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and combine it with bus or light rail for a convenient way to get around town. As part of RTD's vision to enhance multimodal transportation across the region, Car2go vehicles can be found at 10 Park-n-Rides throughout the metro area to help commuters get from point A to point B.

 

Denver City Council Member Jeanne Robb reports that the City and County of Denver announced its preliminary recommendation to implement Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on the 10-mile Colfax Avenue Corridor between Auraria Campus and the Anschutz Medical Campus. The recommendation comes after more than two years of evaluating options to improve transportation mobility that included input from the public. The proposed BRT would dedicate one existing travel lane along Colfax Avenue in each direction during the weekday morning and evening peak hours for exclusive transit use. The rest of the day and on weekends, buses would continue to operate in the outside travel lane with traffic. Utilizing the outside travel lane also minimizes the potential impacts to on-street parking, which is estimated to only impact a handful of spaces throughout the entire 10-mile study area.

 

The BRT system would include key features such as: upgraded bus stops, real-time travel information, enhanced street crossings, improved bicycle and pedestrian connections, and more. In addition, new, upgraded BRT buses (multi-door and low-floor boarding, off-bus ticketing, etc.) would be branded for the corridor.

 

"Colfax serves as a critical backbone of the city's transportation network and has the highest bus ridership in RTD's system," said Denver Public Works' Director of Transportation, Crissy Fanganello. "BRT on Colfax will offer an upgraded, cost-effective transit experience that moves more people throughout the corridor, helping meet existing and future travel demand."

 

The study evaluated multiple transit options, which were narrowed down to BRT, Enhanced Bus (upgraded buses without any exclusive lanes) and Modern Streetcar for Colfax Avenue. The attractiveness of a BRT line along Colfax Avenue is projected to provide comparable transit ridership and end-to-end travel time savings at about one-fourth of the cost of Modern Streetcar. BRT is estimated to attract up to 43,000 daily riders and Modern Streetcar could attract up to 45,000 daily riders. Each service could save transit riders about 10 minutes on their end-to-end travel time. The cost of the BRT system is estimated at around $115 million whereas Modern Streetcar at $450 million.

 

After considering input from the public, project partners and regulatory agencies, the City plans to conduct a more thorough environmental analysis, including an evaluation of traffic conditions with the implementation of the preliminary preferred alternative.

 

https://www.denvergov.org/infrastructure/PolicyandPlanning/CurrentProjects/ColfaxCorridorConnections/AbouttheProject/tabid/443478/Default.aspx

 

RTD district residents interested in volunteering on the FasTracks Citizens Advisory Committee are encouraged to submit a brief application letter and resume to Dale.Honor@rtd-denver.comby the close of business Oct. 17th.  The 17-member committee is comprised of citizens who have a passion for community engagement and are interested in public transit issues. Members are appointed to three-year staggered terms.

 

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/main_263

 

Check Out RTD's new "Transit Watch" App.  If you see something, say something! That's the idea behind RTD's new Transit Watch program. When you download this app to your smartphone, you can instantly communicate with RTD's Transit Police. It's free through Google Play and the App Store.  The app allows you to instantly report suspicious activity and safety concerns, which helps keep our buses, trains and facilities safe. Read more about Transit Watch features.

 

http://www.rtd-denver.com/TransitWatch.shtml

                                      

Council Member Robb also reports that the next public meeting for the Central Denver Rec Center will be on October 21st in the East High School Cafeteria. This is your chance to view preliminary designs and to meet the architects. The current programming proposal for the center, based on stakeholder and public input last spring, includes two basketball courts, a leisure pool, an eight-lane competitive pool, large fitness area, meeting/multi-purpose rooms, and a roof-top deck. Our wish list includes an indoor walk/jog track and a climbing wall. We'd love to have an indoor turf field but that's $4 or $5 million over our budget at this point.  How can we make the most of this unique urban site, complement East High School, and connect to City Park? 

 

Denver City Council Members Mary Beth Susman and Jeanne Robb report that Frank Cannon from Continuum updated the community on their most recent changes to the master plan for the 9th and Colorado project. The Denver Urban Renewal Authority joined Continuum at the meeting and provided an update on the progress being made on the public finance package for the redevelopment. Tracy Huggins, Executive Director of DURA, walked through the process for tax increment financing in the project and the anticipated schedule for approving a tax increment package for the project. DURA anticipates approvals of the Urban Renewal Plan Amendment, Cooperation Agreement, and Redevelopment Agreement early to mid-December this year.

 

Frank discussed the current status of the master planning, design and development efforts for the 26-acres site. Taking into consideration the concerns of neighbors, Continuum has added greenspace and public space near the existing parking garage at the northwest corner of the property. Frank also spoke about parking. Two blocks of underground parking will be utilized, down from three, and a parking garage has been added to the south central block between Ash and Albion. This garage is also programmed to have ground floor retail. Frank also spoke to the financial constraints to reusing the Bio-Research building. Unfortunately, it is not financially feasible to save that building and now it is planned to be demolished.

 

Some recent changes also include adding northern access into the site from 11th Avenue just east of the parking garage. Continuum is interested in purchasing the site between 11th Avenue and Hale Parkway, which will mostly likely provide affordable and possibly market-rate senior housing. In addition to a community discussion on the character of the project design, Continuum engaged the community in a dialogue on what the project should be named. Continuum solicited ideas from the community and has committed to working with the community in the selection of the name. Continuum plans two or three additional meetings before the end of the year.

 

The Save Our Sundial Concert on Sunday, August 24th was a success with attendance by Governor John Hickenlooper, Senator Michael Bennett, Congresswoman Diana DeGette, Councilwoman Peggy Lehmann, and former Councilwoman Marcia Johnson. An estimated 300 residents enjoyed the park, live music, food trucks, face painting and other activities and the event raised over $46,000 received or pledged to help restore the Sundial and the plaza!

 

Recently two different studies have been conducted related to the High Line Canal. One study looked at the area of the canal from Fairmount Drive east to Havana Street. Engineers were studying the feasibility of using the canal for storm water treatment and runoff reduction.  Not only would utilizing the High Line Canal help mitigate the effects of severe storms, such as the one last September, it would also help the canal retain moisture levels more effectively. As a result, the vegetation along the canal could have more access to water, which would in turn allow for a more pleasant walking/biking experience. Based on their study, engineers were able to come up with an infrastructure proposal and cost estimates. The municipalities along the 60+ miles of the canal are now tasked with evaluating the issues/risks of diverting storm water to the canal and how to pay for the proposed infrastructure.  

 

The second study was conducted to review improvements at the intersections of the canal trail with busy streets. One of the areas this study reviewed was where the trail meets the intersection of Parker Road and Mississippi Avenue.  According to the study, over 300 users cross this intersection every day during the summer. Due to the volume of trail users, the high traffic counts on both Parker and Mississippi, the delay that trail users experience when trying to cross the intersection, and the level of accidents at the intersection the study recommends alternatives to the current situation.  Those recommendations are an at-grade improvement, construction of an underpass, or a construction of a pedestrian bridge. Traffic engineering is considering the alternatives and hopes to come to a decision in the near future.

 

The 1st and University intersection closure to accelerate the paving operation was successful.  The closure also reduced prolonged impacts to commuters, and supports an early start to the holiday shopping season.  As a result the storm drainage and street reconstruction project will be completed three weeks ahead of schedule on November 1st. 

 

McWhinney plans to begin construction in December on Z Block, a $235 million mixed-use project in LoDo. The complex will occupy the block bounded by 18th, 19th, Blake and Wazee streets and will contain about 220,000 square feet of office and retail space, 30,000 square feet of retail and restaurant uses, a 400-space underground garage and a 170 room hotel. McWhinney is developing Z Block in a joint venture with Grand American, Inc. which owns the property.  The project will include restoration of the historic Windsor Dairy Block.

 

Dallas-based Invesco bought The Verve, a 285-unit apartment building that recently completed construction in downtown Denver. The ten-story building at 1490 Delgany Street was developed by Opus Development and Amstar Group. The sale price reportedly was $94,750,000, or about $332,456 per unit. Moran and Company brokers Pam Koster and David Martin handled the transaction, which sets a per-unit sales record for Denver apartments.

 

The Colorado Symphony Orchestra revealed plans for a $40 million upgrade of the Boettcher Concert Hall at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. The symphony's concept calls for using $20 to $25 million of previously approved bonds with the balance to be raised from community donors. The proposal will now be considered by the City and County of Denver, which owns the complex on 14th Street in downtown Denver.  Mayor Hancock will appoint an Executive Leadership Team of arts leaders, planning experts and Denver residents to launch a robust community input process and help determine a comprehensive vision for the Denver Performing Arts Complex and Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Arts & Venues announced today.  The Leadership Team will engage the community through public meetings, outreach and telephone town halls in order to provide a path forward for the continued success of the arts complex.  The city's Community Planning and Development department will also help coordinate a process to determine how the arts complex will enhance the neighborhood, including the Colorado Convention Center and parts of downtown adjacent to the performing arts complex. 

 

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to thoughtfully look at a large-scale plan that impacts other public spaces, conventioneers, the Auraria campus, vibrant downtown entertainment districts and, truly, the future of downtown Denver," said Kent Rice, Executive Director of Denver Arts & Venues, which oversees the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Colorado Convention Center, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Coliseum and other city venues and programs. "This is much larger than any single venue, and we're looking forward to a robust discussion of the creative opportunities."

 

The former VQ Hotel near Mile High Stadium will be converted into Turntable Studios, a 175 unit apartment building. The 13-story building at 1975 Mile High Stadium Circle was built in 1967. Nichols Partnership and Realty Capital Group will convert the building into micro apartment units, generally about 330 square feet in size. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

 

Construction is scheduled to begin this fall on Enviva Cherokee, an 18-story apartment building at 1250 Cherokee Street in the Golden Triangle neighborhood south of downtown Denver. The developers are Charter Realty Group of Denver and Integral Group of Atlanta. The building will contain 274 units.

 

The owner of the historic Rossonian Building in Five Points is finalizing plans to redevelop the property. The current concept calls for a 120 room hotel, 35 to 40 condominium units, two restaurants and retail space. Sage Hospitality may join the project to operate the hotel. The building was constructed in 1912 and was once home to a famous jazz club. The property is now owned by Civil Technology.

 

The founders of several Denver co-working spaces plan to open Stride, a collaborative office complex at 38th Street and Brighton Boulevard in north Denver. Jason and Ellen Winkler are converting a warehouse into office space for health technology companies. Stride will also serve as the center for Prime Health Collaborative, an organization of health care administrators and professionals. The Winklers expect the project to be completed in the fall of 2015.

 

Stonebridge Companies bought the Rollnick Building, a 27,620 square foot office property at 222 Milwaukee Street in Cherry Creek North. NJG Investments LLLP sold the 50-year old building for $8.1 million, or about $293 per square foot. Newmark Grubb Knight Frank brokers Dan Grooters and Riki Hashimoto were agents for the seller.  Stonebridge is primarily a hotel developer and operator.

 

Dividend Capital Diversified Property Fund purchased two office buildings in Cherry Creek East. The buildings at 44 Cook Street and 55 Madison Street, known collectively as 1st Avenue Plaza, were acquired for $75 million, or about $286 per square foot. The buildings contain 262,000 square feet of space.

 

Several principals and brokers associated with Unique Properties LLC-TCN Worldwide bought the former Girl Scouts headquarters at 400 South Broadway. The 17,695 square foot building was acquired for $3.7 million, or about $209 per square foot. After extensive renovation Unique Properties will move to the building by mid-2015. The seller was represented in the transaction by JLL agents Ryan Arnold and Tyler Reed.

 

Construction on a $19 million renovation of the historic former Byers Junior High School building was completed. The 93-year old building is located at 150 South Pearl Street and had been vacant for ten years. The school has been converted into a fifth campus for the Denver School of Science and Technology and will reopen for students August 27.  Funds for the construction were provided from voter-approved bonds for the Denver Public Schools.

 

EverWest Real Estate Partners bought the former Gates Rubber Company headquarters buildings in south Denver for an undisclosed sum. The 318,053 square foot property, now called The Offices at Broadway Station, is located at 900 and 990 South Broadway and 202 East Tennessee Avenue near the RTD Broadway light rail station. The seller was Chicago-based Walton Street Capital, which was represented by John Jugl, Angela Lentell and Mary Sullivan of HFF.

 

The former Gates Rubber Company plant site on South Broadway was sold to Frontier Renewal for an undisclosed amount. The Denver-based redeveloper of brownfield sites plans to complete the environment cleanup of the 41-acre tract, create a land use plan and prepare the site for construction. The former Gates plant is located on South Broadway between Mississippi Avenue and I-25.

 

Delwest Capital began construction on Park Hill Station, a 156-unit affordable apartment project at 4055 Albion Street in northeast Denver. The apartments will be close to RTD's East line commuter rail station at Colorado Boulevard that will open in 2016. Delwest recently completed construction on Park Hill 4000, a 168 unit market rate community across Albion Street from Park Hill Station.

 

Los Angeles investment firm IMT Capital LLC bought Alameda Station, a 338-unit apartment community at West Alameda Avenue and South Cherokee Street in south central Denver. The transit-oriented project near RTD's Alameda light rail station was developed by Wood Partners. The sale price was not revealed.

 

Chatham Lodging Trust bought the Hyatt Place hotel in Glendale for $32 million, or about $165,000 per room. The eleven-story hotel is located at 4150 East Mississippi Avenue, adjacent to the taller Rocky Mountain Tower office building.