USA October 2009 News Update

Included in this News Update are reports on two DUSPA meetings held this month, plus an update on plans for the November 11, 2009 gala: A Night in Old Union Station. To download a PDF version of this News Update, please click here.

Gala: A Night in Old Union Station, Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 7-11 P.M.

This event is a fundraiser to return a replica of the Welcome “Mizpah” Arch to the redevelopment site surrounding the Historic Denver Union Station. The event, “A Night in Old Union Station”, will be held on November 11th, 2009. Tickets and details can be found HERE.

Some of the evening’s festivities include:

• A historic railcar donated by Phil Anschutz’s private train car collection - available for tours and cocktails.
• Food provided from restaurants including McCormick’s, Jax, Mortons, Kevin Taylor, Wynkoop Brewery, Vesta Dipping Grill, Bistro Vendome and Sullivans Steakhouse.
• Entertainment for the evening to be provided by Al Kraizer and Shawn Stokes of the Pepsi Center, plus the Denver Theatre District under David Ehrlich.
• Live music by Jim Robischon’s Eohippus, and Sullivans Jazz Band.
• Wines donated by Dry Creek Vineyard, beer from Coors, rum from Boca Loca, and liquor from Orchid Liquors.

It will be a party to remember! We hope you will join us.

DUSPA Meeting of October 15, 2009

Dana Crawford presented Sketch-Up models of various potential locations for the Mizpah Arch to the DUSPA Board. Possible locations included 16th Street, 18th Street, south side of station building, north side of station building and off 16th Street behind future south wing building at entrance to train shed. The Board expressed its appreciation for the initiative.

Bill Mosher stated that the Board has yet to see the Hargreaves presentation from the public meeting in early October. He is working to schedule it. Regarding construction, he stated that work continues on water lines and soil testing… and design continues, but proceeding slowly, waiting for the financing to fall into place.

Financing: A letter to be included in the TIPIA application concerning the project’s credit rating was due last week. TIFIA also requires a peer review of the financial feasibility. DUSPA sent out RFPs for selection of peer review group, they’ve received proposals back and were to select an entity in executive session.

The Public Information contract was on the docket to be approved in executive session.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:15 and moved into executive session.

DUSPA Meeting of October 29, 2009

After voting to approve a logo for DUSPA, the meeting moved to an update on the credit rating process by Diane Barrett. Diane mentioned that there had been a delay in the process. This had been reported in a Denver Post article on October 27, 2009, per the following link: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13647438. She also mentioned that the Federal Railroad Administration continued to support the TIPIA loan.

Bill Mosher then discussed the following items in process:

• An easement agreement with the railroad is being developed in order to proceed with the de-watering of the bus box.
• Amtrak has verbally agreed to a Memo of Understanding regarding track usage and is close to signing.
• Kiewit and AECOM are evaluating the cost implications of building the parking garage on Lot G and a Go/No-Go decision is expected soon.
• An agreement for the north wing building land purchase is being negotiated with USNC.
• The CDOT Senate Bill 1 issue is resolved, which related to the funding process.
• The waterline relocation is complete and is ready for connection during construction.
• CRL has been selected by DUSPA to be the Public Information entity to interface with the public. They are preparing a Public Information Plan.
• Amtrak will operate the chartered ski train and a separate company will provide the on-train services. The charter train will be ready for operation in December and run until March 31, 2010.
• A review of the CB Richard Ellis financial projections will be reviewed by EPS. They will assess the market, absorption projection, and revenue forecast.

The next DUSPA meeting will be November 12, 2009. It will include a recap of the October 1, 2009 SOM/Hargraves public realm presentation and an overview of the next SOM/Hargraves presentation to the public, which will be that evening starting at 5:30 P.M. A meeting of the Peer Design Review committee will take place before the DUSPA meeting.

The meeting adjourned without an executive session.

Union Station Advocates Roundtable

The Roundtables continue to be an effective and engaging meeting allowing our members to have informal discussions on important issues of the Union Station project.

Roundtable meetings are generally held once a month, and are open only to USA members and their guests. Led by USA board member and architect Levi Reeves, each Roundtable meeting provides the opportunity for attendees to discuss in-depth a topic associated with the Union Station project. A few days before each Roundtable, all USA members will receive an invitation via email for the upcoming meeting with an opportunity to RSVP. If you have a suggestion for a Roundtable meeting, please send us an email to info@UnionStationAdvocates.org