Tonight at City Council, Judy will be making some remarks about the major federal funding the City has secured for Union Station. She filed the following report after Friday’s big announcement at Union Station:
Friday was a great day for transportation in the City of Denver, and an especially great day for transportation in District 9. I was thrilled to watch Mayor Hickenlooper, Senator Michael Bennett, and FTA chief Peter Rogoff announce that the federal government has agreed to loan the city $300 million dollars for the Denver Union Station redevelopment.
Since 1881, Union Station has been a major force in Denver ’s regional evolution. The station has acted as a major intercontinental rail link, while helping to shape transportation in the city, region and the nation. Today we are on the threshold of a new frontier. The redevelopment of this site will restore Denver Union Station to its prominence as a force shaping our city and state’s future character and economy.
DUS is situated right in the heart of Council District 9, and I am so proud that it is on track to be considered the nation’s most important central multimodal hub. How we realize this dream for DUS involves numerous complex and important decisions. When I approach such important decisions, I always consider how all the threads of the project weave together. I look to understand the assets we can further capitalize on for the benefit of all of the people in Denver, and I also look for the gaps that need attention so that the project has the best chance of success.
This process has involved many long hours of deliberation over many years. The public should know about the multiple and complex aspects tied to the redevelopment of Denver Union Station, from its design and connectivity to the complex financing involving public and private partnerships. And they should know about the benefits the project will bring to Denver. Specifically, some of the benefits of the DUS project include:
- Construction jobs expected to be created by the DUS project include more than 1,000 jobs in the first year of construction activity and more than 7,000 over the 48-month construction period for the transportation elements of the project.
- Direct and indirect jobs, both transportation-related and those resulting from the private development anticipated over a 12-year buildout, are expected to reach 31,000.
- The FasTracks dollars allocated to Denver Union Station only fund improvements to light-, commuter- and passenger rail facilities. If only FasTracks dollars were available, DUS would simply be a train station. Don’t forget, it is the City’s contribution to the project that makes it possible for DUS to become a multimodal transportation hub for the region.
- The site’s transportation infrastructure will provide local residents and visitors with the ability to make strategic connections to and among a variety of locations throughout the region, including employment centers, educational institutions, medical facilities, affordable housing, Denver International Airport and so on.
- When people have safe, easy access to amenities in their area, the atmosphere of a healthy community builds upon itself, and people enjoy hanging out, walking, shopping, working and leaving their cars at home.
- With Denver ’s contribution, and as a multimodal hub, DUS has been able to attract funding from many sources.
I am so appreciative of the foresight of the founders of Denver Union Station who, in 1881, had the fortitude to withstand criticism. Their steadfastness allowed for us to be here today to discuss another important leap forward in Denver ’s transportation legacy. I believe back in, 2001 when a group of governmental entities came together to buy DUS, we continued that 1881 thinking of the importance of a comprehensive transit system for the metro Denver area. Since 2001, there have been hundreds of meetings and the passage of FasTracks to propel this project forward.
Chief Rogoff also reported at the press conference that the federal government is awarding two $40 million grants toward the cost of building the Gold Line corridor from Union Station to north Denver and the East Line from Union Station to Denver International Airport—both lines that run centrally through District 9.
Categories: by Judy Montero
The New Code design process is entering the home stretch. Tomorrow afternoon marks the first of two public-input sessions (aka “Office Hours”) this week; both are hosted by the Denver Dept. of Community Planning and Development. At tomorrow’s session, which will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Webb Building in conference room 4.I.4, you can speak directly w/ CPD staff to offer feedback, ask questions, etc. The second session takes place Thursday, February 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you plan to attend either session, please register at this link so that CPD can schedule adequate staffing. The latest draft of the New Code is available at the New Code website.
Categories: Uncategorized
The Denver Workforce Centers and Denver Office of Economic Development (OED) will host a Workforce Information and Pre-Recruitment Event next Monday, February 8, at the Benedict Park Place Enrichment Center, 135 Park Avenue West. The Workforce Centers are recruiting for up to 300 job openings in the construction, energy, health care and retail/hospitality industries. Positions are supported through OED’s Wage Subsidy Program, which helps enable Denver employers to create new jobs. The event will offer information sessions at 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Attendees will learn more about the openings, as well as possible training opportunities within these industries.
To attend, you must register in the workforce system through www.connectingcolorado.com, and reserve a seat by calling 720-865-0070. You also must bring an updated resume and sample cover letter. For more information, visit www.milehigh.com.
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Just a reminder: the Union Station documentary “Portal to Progress” premieres tonight at 7 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency / Convention Center.
Judy will be at the station today at 1:30 p.m. with the Mayor, Senator Bennet, and RTD officials to receive some great news from Washington: President Obama’s budget includes very favorable funding recommendations for the buildout of FasTracks. The budget calls for more than $1 billion in federal assistance to FasTracks over a period of years —- tremendously good news. Federal Transit Administration official Peter Rogoff will be on hand today to discuss this information and reveal some more news. The event is open to the public.
Categories: Uncategorized
Thursday evening at 5:30, the city will host public meeting #2 in the 16th Street Mall Urban Design process. It’s being held in the Webb Building in Room 1.B.6; enter through the north doors.
Launched in 2007, the 25th anniversary of the Mall’s opening, this process is intended to lay a foundation for the next 25 years. The final design plan will integrate placemaking, economic development, universal access, historic preservation, and other components to ensure that the Mall remains sustainable economically and environmentally.
The architectural firm ZGF (Zimmer Gunsul Frasca) is spearheading the process, in partnership with Olin Studio, ELS, and Studio InSite. At Thursday night’s meeting, ZGF and its partners will review three potential design schemes for the 16th Street Mall, including color and material samples, sketches, and other visuals of each concept.
For more information about the Urban Design Plan process, click here.
Categories: Uncategorized
Wednesday evening (February 3) Judy will be one of four speakers at the Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association (aka LoDoNA) annual meeting. All four speakers will be providing updates about the Union Station project. In addition to Judy, the speakers will include developer Bill Mosher (profiled yesterday in the Denver Post), Tom Gougeon of the Union Station Neighborhood Company, and Diane Barrett of the Mayor’s office.
The event begins at 5:15 at Fogo de Chao, 1513 Wynkoop St.; tickets are $10 for LoDoNA members, $15 for nonmembers.
Categories: Uncategorized
This Friday Judy will be co-hosting the premiere of “Denver Union Station: Portal to Progress,” a documentary by local filmmaker Jim Havey. It will be shown this Friday at the Hyatt Regency / Convention Center; reception begins at 6 p.m., and screening (with remarks) will follow at 7 p.m.
The film’s underwriters and supporters include several District 9 organizations; Union Station Advocates, LoDo Inc., the Downtown Denver Partnership, and the Union Station Neighborhood Company all contributed to the production of this film, which highlights the historic and future significance of Union Station.
Tickets cost $15 and are available here. For more information and a sneak preview of the film, click here.
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The Department of Excise and License will begin accepting applications for the newly created Medical Marijuana Dispensary license a week from Monday — that’s Februrary 8.
The licensing process developed by Excise & Licenses implements City Council’s recent approval of regulations governing medical marijuana dispensaries. Council acted as a result of significant growth in the number of dispensaries in Denver over the past year. The ordinance requires license applicants to submit a lease or deed; a description of products and services to be provided; a floor plan, security plan, area map, and zoning permit; a City sales tax license; and a burglar alarm permit with their license application.
Full details of the new licensing process are available at www.denvergov.org/Excise_and_Licenses. The Council ordinance adopting regulations governing dispensaries is also available on the Excise and Licenses website.
Categories: Uncategorized
You still have plenty of time to apply for a free street tree through the Denver Digs Trees program, but the deadline is on the horizon. Applications must be received by February 15. And the sooner you get your application in, the wider your choice of trees: it’s first come, first served. All varieties are still available, and they include Harvest Gold Linden, Musashino Zelkova, Prospector Elm, State Street Maple, Turkish Filbert, White Oak, Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry, and Indian Magic Crabapple.
The trees aren’t free to all residents, but most of District 9’s residents qualify for a freebie. Residents in Baker, Chaffee Park, Elyria-Swansea, Globeville, Lincoln Park / La Alma, Sunnyside, Sun Valley, Valverde, and Villa Park don’t pay a dime for their trees. Everybody else pays $25, which still makes it a bargain. The program, now in its 19th year, has added about 40,000 trees to the public right of way, typically the space between the sidewalk and the street.
For applications, visit www.theparkpeople.org, or call 303-722-6262. Tree pick-up is April 17.
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The Denver Public Library is seeking nominations for its ninth annual Latino Community Service Awards. The Library offers two awards; nominations are being accepted through Friday, February 19.
The Lena L. Archuleta Community Service Award honors a Coloradan of Latino descent who has made an impact on the cultural life of the community through his or her involvement with the Denver Public Library or another civic institution. Members of the general community, including those affiliated with the Library, may be considered for the award.
The Cesar Chavez Latino Leadership Hall of Fame Award celebrates the achievements of two individuals (one male, one female) who have made major contributions in a particular field that positively impacted Denver ’s Latino community. Past winners have included U.S. Senator Ken Salazar, former councilwoman Rosemary Rodriguez, the Reverend Lucia Guzman, and Mayor Federico Pena.
Nominations can be e-mailed to Consuelo Cosio, public relations coordinator, ccosio@denverlibrary.org.
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