Today the Council’s Blueprint Denver Committee will be considering Judy’s bill to create a view plane for Coors Field. The legislation would place certain restrictions on development within a small slice of District 9, in order to ensure that the spectacular views of Coors Field are never obstructed by tall buildings or other structures.
The bill is supported by all the RNOs in downtown Denver (including LoDoNA, the Downtown Denver Residents Organization, LoDo District, and Ballpark Neighborhood Association) and has buy-in from many of the current property owners who have land and/or buildings within the view plane.
Here’s a picture of the view that Judy’s bill would preserve. Click on the image to get a close-up view:
No other major sports venue in the country has a view like this one. As former urban planner Ken Straka said in a letter supporting Judy’s proposed view-plane legislation, “The view from Coors Field makes it a special place and experience for residents and visitors alike who visit the ballpark, and for the millions who view it on TV. It expresses the civic values of the greater community. . . . I therefore strongly endorse a view plane ordinance from Coors Field that permanently establishes and preserves a view of the mountains and the tree canopy that defines the mountain skyline.”
There’s a lengthy back-story that explains this piece of legislation. Keep reading to learn all the details.
When Coors Field was sited in 1991 and subsequently designed and blueprinted, the stadium was specifically oriented to provide views of the mountains. In 2000 an ordinance was drafted to establish a Coors Field View Plane, but Council never formally enacted it.
A couple of years ago, Judy dusted off the dormant 2000 proposal and re-launched the approval process. She provided notification to more than a dozen neighborhood organizations and civic groups, as well as to countless individual residents, businesses, and property owners. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Judy’s office contacted all business and property owners within the view plane, and most did not raise any objection. A small number of questions and concerns were raised, but these have all been responded to.
If you have any thoughts about the proposed Coors Field View Plane, leave your comments here on the blog, or contact Judy’s office at (303) 458-8960. The Blueprint Denver committee meeting will be televised live today on Channel 8, beginning at 1:30 p.m.
GREAT! I support this legislation wholeheartedly. This is why we live here!
Thanks for the info.
I support this however I would wish that this would open the way for a similar bill to protect the view of Union Station from the bridge and Riverfront Park.
Yes, good views are always a nice thing, and of course the RNOs (people with good jobs and upscale homes) are going to be in favor of preserving them. But there are always two sides to every issue, and the other side of this one is development. By passing this ordinance, the city council will be limiting development and sending the revenue and jobs this development would bring to other jurisdictions. We need to promote development rather than prohibit it, or else the city’s economy will deteriorate futher, while development-friendly jurisdictions will gain.
Judy,
Congratulations in bringing this bill forward to create the view plane from Coors Field. This will protect the view for all visitors to Coors Field forever. The value of the free advertising received every time the view is shown on TV is immeasurable. All those who supported the stadium district should be very pleased when this bill is passed. Hopefully, City Council will vote in unanimous support. The only regret is that Dave Moore will not be here to finally see this happen. He was such an active proponent of the view plane.
I live and work in District 9. I am supportive of a narrow view corridor to protect the view from (not necessarily of) Coors Field. The view from the ballpark is distinctively Colorado and is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. It is worth protecting.
Judy,
I support this bill – a view of the mountains is a defining characteristic of Denver that needs to be protected. Thanks for keeping us informed.
Thanks for moving this forward, Judy. As you note, it should have been done in the 90′s.
” A small number of questions and concerns were raised, but these have all been responded to.”
Everyone?
I think if we stop them from building to block coors field then we should stop people from building and blocking the mountain view for all citizens . To me this is rich fighting rich . People are watching the game not the view . I would say that it is a nice view but other peoples view has been blocked . What is good for the goose is good for the gander ? How many people did the city ignore and blocked their view . Some won some lost their view . What’s the big deal ? I thought Denver was about growth .
I think Coors field may be getting special treatment . Thats not fair . I have never been to a game . I may never go to a game . I have lived in the area for many years . Be fair to all not just the ones who complain .
I think it needs to wait, why hurry this vote? Decisions are made with a great deal of thought and the consideration of property owners.