Bill James endorses Mike Cerbo for RTD
Board of Directors
It has truly been my privilege to represent
District A on the RTD Board over the past 8
years. As your outgoing RTD District A board
member, I am excited to introduce you to a
talented and passionate candidate who shares
my values and vision for mobility and RTD. I
have endorsed Mike Cerbo for election to the
RTD Board of Directors.
Mike is a professional engineer and a lifelong
southeast Denver resident. He has ridden RTD
since childhood, and I've learned that it was
his main connection to Celebrity Sports
Center, school, baseball practice, friends
across town and his first job. Like me, Mike
is a graduate of the Transit Alliance Citizens
Academy, and has been an active member of his
community, previously serving as a board
member on the West Washington Park
Neighborhood Association.
Mike's commitment and passion for RTD and
Denver are apparent and genuine. He is
primarily focused on RTD's role in battling
congestion, managing population growth and
utilizing technology to make transit more
convenient, accessible and affordable. Mike
want's to "move RTD forward together" by
partnering with others to ensure that the RTD
system can adapt to advancements in
transportation as the Denver region continues
to grow.
With 15 different members representing
differing interests, RTD needs a board that
can work together. Throughout Mike's life, he
has focused on understanding others and
building consensus: whether it be adapting to
new cultures, advocating for clients, or
representing his neighborhood. As an engineer
who likes to build things, Mike is someone who
is incredibly passionate about mobility and
transit, and I believe he will be an asset to
the RTD board.
As we near completion of FasTracks I am more
excited for RTD's future than ever before.
Find out more about Mike at:
Transportation
The Wall Street Journal reports that,
"Maintenance backlogs, budget shortfalls and
breakdowns plague many of the U.S.'s aging
transit systems. But here, where the plains
meet the Rockies, Denver's system is a rare
success."
"The robot cars aren't coming. The robot cars
are here," said Russ Mitchell and Tracey
Lienin the Los Angeles Times. Uber announced
last week that its customers in Pittsburgh
would soon be able to hail a ride from one of
the company's experimental self-driving cars.
An Uber engineer will be in the front seat,
ready to take the wheel "in case things go
wrong," but otherwise the fleet of Fords and
Volvos will be fully capable of driving
themselves. "Although other companies,
including Google, are testing self-driving
cars on public roads, none offers rides to
regular people," said Justin Pritchard and Tom
Krisher in the Associated Press. Participation
in Uber's test program will be optional for
Pittsburgh residents when it rolls out in the
next few weeks, but the company says that "as
an enticement" it will offer the autonomous
rides free of charge to woo hesitant
passengers.
"Both Silicon Valley and Detroit are doubling
down on their bets for autonomous vehicles,"
said Bill Vlasic and Mike Isaac in The New
York Times. Ford also announced last week that
it plans to put self-driving taxis onto
American roads by 2021. "But while Ford is
looking five years out," Uber is stepping on
the gas. The ride-hailing company also just
announced it is buying Otto, a startup focused
on self-driving semitruck technology, and is
embarking on a $300 million partnership to
develop self-driving cars with Volvo. If
Uber's autonomous fleet can conquer
Pittsburgh, where the company's self-driving
research lab is based, there's no doubt it can
win the self-driving-car arms race, said Avery
Hartmans in BusinessInsider.com.The city's
innumerable bridges, tunnels, and hills-not to
mention its morass of Google Maps-confounding
one-way streets and narrow roads-make it the
ideal city for working out the kinks in
self-driving technology. "Plus, there's the
weather. Snow, ice, wind, rain-Pittsburgh has
it all."
Uber's real endgame is to eliminate those
"pesky resource hogs" otherwise known as
humans, said Jason Koebler in Vice.com. The
backup driver-engineers in Uber's self-driving
fleet won't even be permitted to speak to
their passengers. The goal, says Uber's
engineering lead Raffi Krikorian, "is to wean
us off of having drivers in the car." Most
auto experts agree that a future of driverless
cars will ultimately be safer, more efficient,
and better for the environment. And Uber
predicts that hailing a robotaxi will one day
be cheaper than owning a vehicle. But the
transition to this brave new world will be
brutal for Uber's 1 million drivers around the
world. "There is no short-term job in an
automated car for the recently laid-off guy
who drives Uber to make ends meet."
The Downtown Denver Partnership reports that
Denver Public Works, with management and
support from the Downtown Denver Business
Improvement District, has installed 187 new
street lights along the 16th Street Mall to
improve aesthetics and enhance the pedestrian
experience. The new lights replace aging
fixtures as well as lights that have been
removed over time because of vehicle
collisions. The replacements span the 16th
Street Mall for 13 blocks from Market Street
to Broadway. Lights were added in critical
locations, restoring the original distribution
and balance of pedestrian lighting along the
Mall. The new fixtures, which replicate the
original iconic design, use LED light to
distribute light more uniformly across the
Mall, especially on sidewalks, and create a
more inviting, safe space for everyone to
enjoy. The LED lighting will also reduce
energy usage and costs.
The project was funded through Downtown Tax
Increment Financing Program funds distributed
by the Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA)
and approved by the City of Denver. "With
more people moving in and out of Downtown
every day, it is critical that we constantly
work to keep the heart of our city a welcoming
place to live, work and play," Mayor Hancock
said. "These new lights will enhance the
experience of our unique Mall and create a
brighter and more inviting, safe space for
everyone to enjoy. I thank our partners for
working to implement this critical effort."
"The 16th Street Mall is one of our most vital
connectors and important public spaces, and as
the Mall ages we recognize the importance of
improving Mall infrastructure while
maintaining important elements of its iconic
design," says Tami Door, president and CEO of
the Downtown Denver Partnership. "As many as
70,000 people walk or ride the shuttle on the
Mall on any given day, and we've heard loud
and clear that improving lighting is one of
the most important things we can do to improve
upon the feeling of safety Downtown. Thank you
to the City and the Denver Urban Renewal
Authority for partnering with us on this
important project."
RTD reports that the 16th Street Free MallRide
vehicles are also being replaced with new
electric buses sporting a bold, modern paint
scheme and will begin carrying passengers
soon. The new Free MallRide vehicles are fully
electric, powered by battery and will have
air-conditioning. They will have three doors
like the current busses, 18 seats, two wheel
chair spaces and hold 112 passengers. The 36
new buses will replace the current fleet that
is approximately 16 years old and has logged
more than 200,000 miles along the more than
one-mile-long Mall.
Denver South reports that Lyft and the City of
Centennial have partnered on a first in the
nation pilot to make commuting easier on
public transportation. Together, they have
made commuter rides from parts of Centennial
free to and from the Dry Creek light rail
station, ensuring that commuting and traveling
from Centennial to downtown is easier with
Lyft and RTD. "We believe this partnership
will benefit the entire Denver region by
reducing single occupancy vehicles and slowing
traffic downtown by increasing utilization of
light rail. We hope this becomes a model for
future partnerships across the region." This
pilot will test an entirely new platform that
provides a more convenient, affordable
transportation solution to bridge the first
and last mile gap for commuters. Such a
platform has not been included in any similar
projects nationwide.
RTD reports that it has closed a portion of
the parking at the I-25 and Broadway Station
for construction of part of the Broadway
Station Development project - a 41-acre
mixed-use redevelopment site. This
transit-oriented community will create a dense
high-quality urban area with a multi-modal
transit hub at its center. The parking lot
that runs south of the light rail tracks and
north of Mississippi is permanently closed.
Parking is still available for RTD patrons in
the 1,048 spots on the paved lots at the I-25
and Broadway Station. As the closure will
limit parking, RTD encourages riders to
utilize other methods to get to the station.
Bus routes 0, 0L, 11, 14 feed into this
station. In addition, there are 18 bike racks
and 30 bike lockers available for use. Riders
can also park Car2Go cars in designated areas.
Real Estate
Source: Denver Post
Sakura Square solicits proposals
The owners of Sakura Square in downtown Denver
are soliciting proposals for the redevelopment
of the Japanese-oriented block between 19th,
20th, Larimer and Lawrence streets. The block
is owned by Sakura Square LLC and the
Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple. The concept
calls for a mixture of uses featuring Japanese
culture, including a new temple, retention of
the Pacific Mercantile grocery store and other
retail, office and residential uses. Sakura
Square was developed in 1969 on the site of a
larger Japanese neighborhood settled prior to
1900 but demolished by Urban Renewal.
Source: Denver Business Journa
The Coloradan starts construction
East West Partners started construction on The
Coloradan, a $200 million condominium tower in
downtown Denver. The 334-unit building will be
located at 1750 Wewatta Street adjacent to
Denver Union Station. The building will also
contain 19,000 square feet of ground level
retail space. Units will sell in a price range
of the mid $200,000s to $1.3 million, plus
several penthouses priced up to $3 million.
Construction is scheduled for completion in
the fall of 2018.
CU Denver Adding Wellness Center
Source: Denver Business Journal
The University of Colorado will build a $42.4
million wellness center on its Denver campus
at Auraria. The 92,000 square foot building
will be located adjacent to the Student
Commons Building at Auraria Parkway and Speer
Boulevard. Construction is expected to be
completed in early 2018.
Denver Buying Warehouse for Homeless Services
Source: Denver Post
The City and County of Denver is buying a
warehouse in the Sun Valley neighborhood for
conversion into a service center for homeless
persons. The 28,000 square foot building is
located at 2601 West 7th Avenue, just east of
Federal Boulevard. The property will be
acquired for $4.1 million, or about $146 per
square foot. Part of the building would also
be used for storage.
DHA Plans New Headquarters
Source: Business Denver
The Denver Housing Authority plans to move its
headquarters to a new office building in the
Lincoln La Alma Park neighborhood south of
downtown. The 50,888 square foot building
would be located at West 10th Avenue and Osage
Street, adjacent to the RTD light rail station
and Mariposa, DHA's redevelopment of a former
public housing project. The agency plans to
move into the new ten-story building in 2019
and then consider options for redeveloping its
current quarters at 777 Grant Street.
CDOT Planning Sun Valley Headquarters
Source: Denver Infill
The State of Colorado will build a new
headquarters for the state Department of
Transportation in the Sun Valley neighborhood
near Mile High Stadium. The project will be
located at the southeast quadrant of West
Colfax Avenue and Federal Boulevard on what is
currently a parking lot for stadium patrons.
The 175,000 square foot building will be
located adjacent to RTD's Decatur-Federal
light rail station. Construction is scheduled
to begin in November.
Stonebridge Buying Site for Downtown Hotel
Source: Denver Business Journal
Stonebridge Companies is buying the former
Emily Griffith Opportunity School at 1250
Welton Street. The 2.5 acre site is adjacent
to the Colorado Convention Center. The
Denver-based hotel developer is purchasing the
property from Denver Public Schools for $26.1
million. The historic school is a designated
historic landmark and must be incorporated
into any new development. Stonebridge did not
reveal exact plans for the site.
Sales Commence at Sloan's Lake Tower
Source: Denver Post
NAVA Real Estate Development started sales for
Lakehouse, a 206-unit condominium tower on
Sloan's Lake Park in west Denver. The 12-story
building will be located at West 17th Avenue
and Raleigh Street and will offer units from
the mid $400,000s to over $1 million. Kentwood
City Properties is the listing agent for
Lakehouse. Construction is scheduled to begin
in late 2016.
World Trade Center May Start in 2017
Source: Denver
Post
Construction may begin by late 2017 on the
first phase of World Trade Center Denver, the
new mixed-use development that will serve as
the organization's headquarters. The project
will be located adjacent to the RTD commuter
rail station at 38th and Walnut streets in
RiNo. Concept plans for the first phase call
for about 250,000 square feet of office space,
a conference center, 30,000 square feet of
retail and restaurant space and a 200 room
hotel.
Markel Planning Welton Street Lofts
Source: Business Denver
Markel Homes is planning to develop Welton
Street Lofts, a five-story apartment building
at 2843 Welton Street in Five Points. The
Boulder-based developer filed plans for a
structure containing 48 to 62 units, ground
floor retail space and a covered parking lot.
Industry to Open Second Coworking Location
Source: Business Denver
The Industry coworking operator is starting
construction on a second location. The
Industry RiNo Station will be located at 3825
Lafayette Street near RTD's 38th and Blake
commuter rail station. The building will
contain about 152,000 square feet and is
slated for completion in late 2017. The
original Industry is located at 3001 Brighton
Boulevard.
Gaddis Reduces Size of Curtis Park Project
Source: Business Denver
Gaddis Property Management amended plans for
D-Line, a micro unit apartment development in
Curtis Park. Originally proposed for 56 units,
the project at 3021 Downing Street and 3148
Stout Street will now contain only 29 units.
The reduction resulted in an endorsement by
the Curtis Park Neighbors community
association.
Trammel Crow Starting Another Downtown Tower
Source: Denver Real Estate Watch
Trammell Crow Residential plans to start
construction on Alexan Arapahoe Square, a 355
unit apartment building on Welton Street
between 22nd Street and Park Avenue West.
Dallas- based TCR is one of the most active
apartment developers in metro Denver, with two
other projects currently underway or planned
within several blocks of the Alexan Arapahoe
Square site. The 13-story building joins
several other apartment projects along the
Welton Street corridor between Broadway and
Five Points.
Hotel Planned in RiNo
Source: Denver Business Journal
Gravitas Development Group plans to construct
a 50-room boutique hotel in the RiNo
neighborhood. The Ramble Hotel will be located
at 2450 Larimer Street and is programmed for
an opening in late 2017.
Construction Starts on Five Points Project
Source: Denver Business Journal
Confluence Companies and Palisade Partners
started construction on the Lydian, a $40
million mixed-use project at 2560 Welton
Street in Five Points. The eight-story
building will contain 129 apartments, 15,000
square feet of office space and 9,000 square
feet of retail space. It will also include the
restoration of the adjacent historic Rossonian
Hotel.
Hotel Planned Near Coors Field
Source: Denver Cityscape
Intercontinental Hotel Group plans to develop
a 150-room hotel in downtown Denver. The EVEN
Hotel would be located at Blake Street and
Park Avenue West near Coors Field. The 8-story
hotel would occupy a site currently used for
parking.
Self-Storage to Replace Office Building
Source: Colorado Springs Business Journal
A vacant office building in south Denver will
be replaced by a 90,000 square foot
self-storage warehouse. The building at 3888
East Mexico Avenue will be developed by Salt
Lake-City-based Extra Space Storage. An
affiliate of the company bought the Dragon
Building for $3.3 million, or about $98.21 per
square foot. The buyer was represented by
Unique Properties Inc. TCN Worldwide brokers
Tim Finholm and Sam Leger.
Printer Buys Jason Street Building
Source: Colorado Real Estate Journal
Overland LLC bought a vacant industrial
building at 1377 South Jason Street in
southwest Denver. The printing company paid
Caraustar Custom Packaging Group $6,780,000,
or about $71 per square foot. The 95,063
square foot building will be used for storage
and manufacturing. Overland LLC was
represented by CBRE brokers Mike Camp and Bill
Thompson while JLL brokers Peter Beugg, Tyler
Reed and Mitch Zatz were agents for the
seller.
Jackson Square Buys Aurora Apartments
Source: Business Denver
Jackson Square Properties bought Legend Oaks,
a 488-unit apartment community in west Aurora.
The San Francisco based investment company
paid Fairfield Residential $98.5 million, or
about $201,000 per unit. Legend Oaks is
located at 1250 South Dayton Court.
