Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Winter Newsletter

Our winter newsletter is now available! CLICK HERE!

The content of our newsletter can be found below:

Happy Holidays from Union Station Advocates!

2011 is drawing to a close and the Denver Union Station project is moving full steam ahead! As of December 1st, the light rail platform and facilities are 97% completed, the underground bus box is 49% completed, the commuter rail facilities are 36% completed and the streets and plazas are 52% completed. According to the project team, many of the unknowns have now been resolved, and we are past most of the construction risk. Construction highlights this year have included finalization of the plans for the public spaces, closing the pedestrian tunnel under and behind the station, relocating the Amtrak station to its temporary facilities, extension of the 16th Street Mall, opening of the relocated light rail platform and 16th Street Mall shuttle terminus, opening of Chestnut Street, and the erection of Chestnut Street Pavilion. Next up is the pending decision on the DUS Historic Station Redeveloper. Union Station Advocates is proud to say we continue to advocate on behalf of the public and provide opportunities for citizen input. We are excited to finally start seeing the results of everyone’s hard work after all these years and continue to look forward to Spring of 2014 for the project’s completion. Below is more detail on some of this season’s exciting changes and progress. For up to date information as it occurs, please follow our blog at http://unionstationadvocates.blogspot.com


Historic Station Redevelopment Update

On November 4th, two pre-qualified development teams presented to the public their respective concepts for the redevelopment of the Denver Union Station Historic Station. A video of the public presentation can be viewed at: http://denver.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=68 and the hard copy presentations can be seen at: http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/dus_1. Union Station Advocates and the LoDo District, Inc. then co-hosted a neighborhood meeting on Nov. 9th to discuss the proposals. Subsequently, the Union Station Advocates board members, except for one who abstained and one who chose not to take a position, vocalized their support of the Union Station Alliance plan in a letter to RTD.

Union Station Advocates believes the hotel concept is superior for many of the same reasons that have been widely noted in various articles and editorials. We are pleased to report that on December 13th, the RTD Finance Committee passed a motion to recommend the hotel concept to the entire Board. The Board is expected to take a final vote on the team selection on Dec. 20th.

Denver Union Station Public Realm
A very positive outcome from the extremely competitive nature of the above process, is that RTD was pleasantly surprised by the enormous public outpouring of expressed interest in the historic station and its associated public realm! Because of this strong interest, staff expressed to the Board in their recommendation that it would be imperative to continue a public outreach as plans for the train hall and other first floor uses continue to evolve to be sure the final result satisfies the community. Less spoken of, but an integral part of the negotiations with the selected team, is the management and programming solution for Wynkoop Plaza. In 2009, DUS stakeholders, including Union Station Advocates, convened a "Public Space Symposium" with five high profile public space experts to study and recommend a management structure specifically for Wynkoop Plaza. That recommendation was the creation of an independent, community-based, non-profit entity, similar to the Civic Center Conservancy. This approach would allow for the management of the Plaza to be supported by citizen input and involvement and would expand fund raising and sponsorship opportunities for the Plaza’s benefit. Under this approach, the entity in charge would have only one mission—to ensure the Plaza’s success as a thriving public space. This is the approach we have promoted since the early days of our organization.

Union Station Alliance has publicly stated that they also support the recommendations from the Public Space Symposium, and has committed to working directly with the community to implement them. However, Union Station Neighborhood Company has only stated that they would manage Wynkoop Plaza, noting their experience at Belmar in Lakewood. We would like to take this opportunity to say that Union Station Advocates is opposed to the historic station’s redeveloper having control over Wynkoop Plaza as proposed by USNC. Wynkoop Plaza is to become a prominent public space, owned by a public entity (RTD) and, rightfully, managed by a community-based entity serving as a steward and advocate of the space on behalf of, and for the benefit of, the public. To allow Wynkoop Plaza to function as a de facto extension of the private developer’s domain, or to permit an arrangement that could tempt the private developer to manage the Plaza in a manner that prioritizes their own financial interests over the public’s interests, would be a grave mistake.

Based on what has transpired to date, we are encouraged to believe that Union Station Alliance will be the redevelopment team that RTD selects. If in fact they are, not only does their proposal best ensure the long-term financial viability and activation of the historic station, but we can also look forward to working together on a community-based management and programming solution for Wynkoop Plaza!


Kiewit Offers Construction Update

The Denver Union Station Project continues to make significant progress. To demonstrate the progress, Kiewit has offered an update that discusses the current construction work onsite, as well as what we can expect in the future: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B14OGQyGiITvNWFmNWM3MGEtZGI0ZS00YzE5LWI5ODktNWUxZGY5N2U5Mzc0

Below are some of the highlights:


  • Construction of 16th Street between Wewatta and Wynkoop began in early December and will continue for several months. 16th Street Mall FreeMall Ride Service will continue during this timeframe

  • Construction for the retaining wall adjacent to the Ice House/Rodizio Grill will begin late December and will last 4-6 weeks. The Ice House Garage will maintain access during that timeframe

  • The parking lot and sidewalk in front of Denver Union Station will close starting in January 2012 for reconstruction. Access to the historic station building will be maintained during that timeframe.

  • Construction of the north wing building will commence in Spring 2012.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

DUS Construction Updates

A representative of the Kiewit construction team has provided us with an update of the construction at Denver Union Station and what we can expect to see over the next couple of years. To read the letter, please click HERE.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

LEAVE A COMMENT FOR RTD!

It's come to our attention that a recommendation regarding the development of the historic station building could come as early as today. We encourage all of the Union Station supporters to leave their comments for RTD:

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/dus_1

For information from our Public Space Symposium (2009) which helps to clarify some of the proposed ideas, please see the excerpt from the letter below and the document at:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B14OGQyGiITvNTIzOTk4NWUtMTcxNy00YjYwLTk1MDMtNGNiNzcxMjUxNzNm



...We are forwarding the attached document that succinctly describes both the master plan’s vision for Wynkoop Plaza and the management structure that was recommended by the expert panel in the Public Space Symposium of 2009. You may recall that the Symposium was a fairly elaborate joint effort between the Downtown Denver Partnership, USNC and USA to identify the best strategy for management of Wynkoop Plaza. Again we would like to reiterate USA’s position that management should be in the hands of a non-profit entity whose sole purpose is the success of the Plaza. Integrating management with another broad mission (like management of the Historic Station Building) both weakens the focus required for success and disenfranchises other significant stakeholders. There is a strong local example of the model recommended… Civic Center Conservancy, which has proven that a broad stakeholder board with a singularly focused staff can improve activation of a signature public amenity, increase funding opportunities for that activation.. and as a result creates a more desirable and safer environment that draws people into it...



Thanks!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Neighborhood Meeting: Future Re-Use of Denver Union Station

All,

Last night the public was invited to hear two competing ideas for the re-use of the Historic Union Station. Each development group was asked to showcase their proposals for the interior redevelopment of Denver Union Station and make clear their vision for the future of this iconic building. The room was packed and the ideas shared were fascinating!!

Next Wednesday the 9th, as a follow up to this meeting, the Union Station Advocates will be bringing together neighborhood stakeholder groups to discuss last night’s presentations and further identify key issues surrounding these proposals.

Join us at the Wynkoop Brewery’s Mercantile Room on Wednesday November 9th from 5-7pm. Please RSVP by sending an email to info@unionstationadvocates.org

Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

RTD Releases Date, Time, Place for DUS Historic Station Presentations

RTD submitted the following press release which designates the date and time for the presentations of the Denver Union Station Historic Station redevelopment proposals!

Thursday November 3
6PM
Colorado Convention Center
Rooms 201 and 203
700 14th Street in Downtown Denver



NEWS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:

October 19, 2011
Pauletta Tonilas
Public Information Manager

303-299-2469 (office)
303-250-4846 (cell)





Public Invited to Hear Two Competing Ideas for
Denver Union Station Historic Building
November 3 event to showcase proposals for the interior redevelopment of Denver union station

Denver, Oct. 19, 2011 – Two teams competing to redevelop the Regional Transportation District’s historic Denver Union Station building will present their proposals at a public event on Thursday, Nov. 3.

The two and a half-hour event will be held in the Colorado Convention Center, Rooms 201 and 203, 700 14th Street (at California) in downtown Denver and begin at 6 p.m. Each team will have 30 minutes to present the details of its proposal with a 30-minute question/answer session with the public following each presentation. The first presentation by Union Station Neighborhood Company starts at 6:15 p.m., and the second presentation by Union Station Alliance will begin at 7:25 p.m.

Denver Union Station will serve as the intermodal transportation hub for the Denver metro region, bringing together rail and bus service, Amtrak, shuttle service, taxis, bikes, and pedestrian uses. As owner of the building, the RTD Board of Directors will decide soon how the interior of the building will be redeveloped to accommodate its new role as both an activity center and a transit station. As part of this process, RTD initially released a Request for Qualifications followed by a Request for Proposals, receiving two developer concepts for consideration.

Beginning in 2010, RTD commissioned a Stakeholder Committee made up of representatives from downtown interests, historic preservationists, the City and County of Denver, the Denver Union Station Project Authority and others to identify potential uses for the rehabilitation and reuse of the DUS Historic Building. The Stakeholder Committee developed building reuse goals, considered alternative reuse scenarios, evaluated the ability of the reuse scenarios to meet community goals, and discussed the process for selecting a developer to complete the building restoration and reuse. The Denver Union Station project is part of RTD’s voter-approved FasTracks transit expansion program to expand rail and bus service throughout the Denver metro area. FasTracks will build 122 miles of commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit service, add 21,000 new parking spaces, redevelop Denver Union Station and redirect bus service to better connect the eight-county District. The FasTracks investment initiative is projected to create thousands of construction-related jobs during the height of construction, and will pump billions of dollars into the regional economy over the next 20 years.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Historic Station Public Meeting

RTD is planning to hold a public meeting on November 3 to give the citizens an opportunity to learn about the proposals for the Denver Union Station Historic Station Building. We would encourage all of the USA supporters to come out! We will post more information as soon as we know it.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

SPECIAL DENVER UNION STATION TOUR

SPECIAL Denver Union Station tour this saturday! Chance to see the project from 200 ft above!! Saturday, 10AM, in front of the historic station, 17th and Wynkoop, a little more than an hour long, $10 donation recommended.

We would love to see you all there!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Denver Union Station Historic Building Reuse Options

As the due date for the two proposals for the redevelopment of the historic Denver Union Station building draws near (Oct 3, in fact), we wanted to remind our readers of the varied options for the redevelopment of the historic building.

Please remember that there will be a public meeting to discuss these options, so we highly recommend that our interested followers read-up on the options and come ready to make suggestions and commentary.

As a means of highlighting the two proposals, we are linking to the summaries given earlier this summer on DenverUrbanism.com.

For an introduction to the proposals, please click HERE.

To read about the idea's from the Denver Union Station Redevelopment Team, please click HERE.

To read about the proposed ideas from Union Station Neighborhood Company, please click HERE.

Thanks everyone! Stay tuned for an announcement to follow regarding the date for the public meeting.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Summer Newsletter Part II

Read Part II of our Summer Newsletter!

CLICK HERE TO READ IT!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

FTA Presents Recommendations for Wynkoop Plaza

The FTA sent out a letter regarding their findings and recommendations for Wynkoop Plaza. To see the letter, please click HERE

US Transportation Secretary Announces RTD Funding Award

The following was a press release that RTD released on August 31






U.S. Transportation Secretary in Denver today to make major transit funding announcement



SECRETARY RAY LAHOOD TO ALSO PARTICIPATE IN GOLD LINE GROUNDBREAKING



Denver, Aug. 31, 2011 — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Transit
Administration Administrator Peter Rogoff will be in Denver today to announce a major transit
funding award for the Regional Transportation District’s East Rail Line to Denver International
Airport and the Gold Line to Arvada and Wheat Ridge. The two lines are part of RTD’s FasTracks transit expansion program.



The award will be announced at a special signing ceremony Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 3 p.m. in
Olde Town Arvada. The event also will celebrate the Gold Line groundbreaking at the site of the
future Olde Town Station.



Prior to the ceremony, the City of Arvada and Historic Olde Town Arvada district will hold a
ribbon‐cutting and ice cream social at 2:30 p.m. to open a model of RTD’s future commuter
train, on display at the Olde Town Square at Olde Wadsworth and W. 57th Ave.



WHAT: Full Funding Grant Agreement Ceremony, Gold Line Groundbreaking
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, 3 p.m.
WHERE: Olde Town Arvada, Grandview lot at Grandview Avenue and Webster Street
SPEAKERS:
 U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
 FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff


 Governor John Hickenlooper
 Congresswoman Diana DeGette
 Congressman Ed Perlmutter
 Adams County Commissioner W.R. “Skip” Fischer
 Jefferson County Commissioner Faye Griffin
 Arvada Mayor Bob Frie
 Denver Mayor Michael Hancock
 RTD Board Chair Lee Kemp
 RTD Board Member Lorraine Anderson
 RTD General Manager Phil Washington
 Denver Transit Partners Director Greg Amparano



MEDIA ONLY PARKING: Take Ralston Road to Webster Street. Go south on Webster. The media parking area will be on Webster between W. 57th Avenue and Grandview Avenue.



LIVE STREAMING: RTD will provide a live streaming webcast of the ceremony and groundbreaking.



Journalists and the public can visit www.rtd‐denver.com or
tinyurl.com/FasTracksGrant.

September DUSPA Meeting

Key Discussion Points
9/1/2011 DUSPA Meeting
Letter from USA to Phil Washington, Executive Director of RTD
Jerry Glick summarized the letter as addressing two issues:
1. The need to determine the ongoing management/operations of the Wynkoop Plaza, which he said was an open issue still to be resolved.
2. USA’s request for a public meeting for presentation of the two proposals for restoring the historic Union Station, which he said had just been scheduled and thereby the issue was resolved. He did not mention a place or date.
Bill Sirois of RTD said that he’d talked to Anne Hayes of USA and mentioned that the request for proposal had asked for the proposers’ recommendations for management and operations of the Wynkoop Plaza. He said that a meeting with Phil Washington was being arranged.
Other discussion items
1. The project is 46% complete, with the LRT being 98.6% complete, the bus box 46.8% complete, and the streets and plazas 50% complete. Project completion is now projected for March 16, 2014, slightly ahead of the original schedule.
2. $211,000,000 of the $488,000,000 budget has been paid out to date.
3. The project team is monitoring for any settlement of the historic station due to the completion of the bus box and the drilling of dewatering wells to low the water table. Shoring walls and a tie-back structure are being constructed to prevent any settlement.
4. The artist for the project selected by RTD is Kevin Curry. He will present his ideas to DUSPA at the November 2011 meeting.
5. The pedestrian bridge at the north wing building is in final design review.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Light Rail Opening Festivities

For a record of the festivities on August 15 with the opening of the new Light Rail station at Denver Union Station, please see this fantastic blog post from Denver InFill!

http://denverinfill.com/blog/2011/08/union-station-update-82.html

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Summer Newsletter

Our summer newsletter is now available! Click HERE to read what's been happening through the summer at Denver Union Station.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Aug 15: Grand Opening of DUS Light Rail



Please join the Denver Union Station Project Authority and RTD for the Grand Opening of the Denver Union Station Light Rail Station.






Monday August 15, 2011



7-9 AM



Entertainment by the Denver Municipal Band Brass Quartet



740AM Special Train Arrives



750 Program






We Hope to see you there!!










Tuesday, August 9, 2011

DUSPA Meeting Aug 4

Project Update:

As of the end of July 2011, the overall project was 43.7% complete. The LRT was at 91% , the Bus Box at 45% and the Streets and Plazas at 45%.

On Monday, August 15th the new Light Rail Station opens and the 16th Mall shuttle buses will be operating to this new location. Early that morning there will be an public opening celebration starting at approximately 7:50 a.m. at the new station.

As soon as the newly constructed Chestnut Street opens to traffic, Wewatta Street will close allowing for excavation to complete the bus box. The glass is being installed in the bus box skylights and the escalator work and wayfinding signage has begun.

As far as project risk, most of the previous unknowns are now known and the good news is that the potential soil contamination is far less than feared. Hopefully this saves some money on the project!

The pedestrian bridge final design should be complete by end of August. The final Public Realm design will incorporate enhancements to the paving materials and crosswalks now that final numbers confirm they can be absorbed by the budget. The Landmark Preservation Commission had previously approved the plans for Wynkoop Plaza with the exception of the necessary protection strategy for the fountain, leaving that final approval to the City. The development team submitted a solution that included combination of bollards and seat walls and the City gave its final approval on July 28th.

The CDOT FASTER Grant is currently being executed. The $4 million will benefit the Historic Station and the work being completed to it which includes two new boilers that are being installed this fall.

Denver Transit Partners who is building the commuter rail line to the airport, has requested and is paying for an increase to the width of their platform. Amtrak has requested and is paying for an extention to their platform at their temporary station site.
Some of the remaining issues for the project include a strategy for the crosswalks on Wynkoop and a permanent solution for the required 150 public parking spaces.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

DUS Tour Saturday

We will be giving a tour of Denver Union Station this saturday morning, the only tour taking place during the transition from old to new light rail station.

Tours start in front of the historic station at 17th and Wynkoop at 10AM. Your $10 donation will go to help our non-profit organization ensure a great public space at DUS.

We would love to see you there!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Summer Light Rail Changes

RTD is proud to bring exciting changes to the metro area’s transit system this summer. RTD will be opening a new light rail station at Denver Union Station on August 15, and a new Auraria West Campus Station in the Fall. To accomplish this, and moving one step closer to completing the FasTracks Program, we will have Light Rail closures from July 23 – August 14 in the downtown area. To lessen the impact to RTD passengers, we will be doing one consolidated closure. Attached, you will find a fact sheet that goes into more detail about the closures and the alternative bus shuttle service that will be available in lieu of light rail service.


During this time, we ask that all of our community partners help us spread the word, so everyone stays informed. Weekly updates will be provided via email and on our website at www.rtd-denver.com , as well as maps that show the temporary shuttle service during the closures. Attached to this email, you will also find a fact sheet explaining in greater detail the closures and subsequent bus shuttle service and a flyer to use to communicate with your customers or employees. We greatly appreciate everyone’s patience during this exciting time as RTD moves forward to provide you a world class transportation system. Progress is never easy but the end result is always appreciated, and we will all look forward to the results on August 15.

CLICK HERE for External Fact Sheet

CLICK HERE for Closures Flyer

Monday, August 1, 2011

FTA and SHPO Pursue Formal Clearance for Wynkoop Plaza

The Union Station site has hit the 40% constructed stage and Wynkoop Plaza design elements have garnered support by the project partners and involved stakeholders. The project, pushing forward, is ready to seek further federal funding support of the design and construction elements of Wynkoop Plaza. In order to allow federal support, FTA and SHPO have agreed to pursue formal clearance with a Categorical Exclusion and a 106 Consultation Process.

We're excited to see the project teaming doing everything they can to make Wynkoop Plaza a great public space!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Europe Stifles Drivers in Favor of Mass Transit

For a European perspective on pedestrianism versus vehicular traffic, see this New York Times article!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/27/science/earth/27traffic.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

DUS Underground Bus Schedules

The new underground bus station at Union Station is scheduled to open in 2015. The current projection, based on January 2010 schedules, is for 664 buses per day to operate through the new station in 2015, increasing to 697 per day starting in 2020. . The following spread sheet shows the planned number of buses per hour for Years 2015, 2020, 2025, 2030, and 2035. Local buses 0 and 15L, plus the CBD Circulator, will access and depart the bus station via 18th Street. Except for deadhead buses (120X, B/BX/BF, and L) entering the station between 12 P.M. and 1 A.M. that will access the bus station’s west ramp via 20th and Chestnut, all other buses will access and depart via the ramp off I 25 that passes behind the Ice House Parking Garage.

To see the bus schedules, please click HERE to download PDFs of the schedules.

Monday, May 23, 2011

DUS Construction Update

The following construction update was provided by DUSPA:

Regional Bus Facility
Crews are continuing to work on waterproofing the roof of the underground bus facility. As sections of this work are complete, the backfill is placed. This process will be ongoing for another month.

Flashing and glazing on the skylights for the underground bus facility will be starting. The skylights provide natural light inside the facility. Also going on inside the bus facility is installation of electrical/mechanical rough-ins.

Crews are also working on the access into the bus facility from the Chestnut Pavilion, stairs and escalator trusses.



Light Rail Platform
The traction power sub-station (TPSS) that was under the Millennium Bridge hasbeen moved so now crews can continue work on the LRT to connect with the current tracks. They will be building retaining walls, duct bank and overhead catenary system (OCS) foundations.



Streets and Utilities
Our work at Wynkoop St. was completed in April. Other utility companies haveadditional work to perform and will be coming back through to repave Wynkoop St. in the next month.

Over the next month, Xcel Steam (not part of the DUS project) will be continuing the steam line installation work on 16th Street and coming through the intersection with Wynkoop. This work may require closures of the intersection.

There are other utility projects in the neighborhood, so please use caution when driving or walking in this area as there may be lane, parking and sidewalk restrictions.

Crews are pouring curb and gutter and paving on Chestnut Place and 16th St. from the Millennium Bridge towards Wewatta St. in preparation for the opening of LRT and the 16th St Mall Shuttle loop in its permanent location and the opening of Chestnut Place.



Behind Denver Union Station
Demolition of the old pedestrian tunnel and other old structures continues in preparation for the excavation for the next phase of the underground bus facility which will begin upon completion. Crews will begin the de-watering process in early June.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Construction Update

Spring is upon us and with that comes a concentrated push of construction activities. Here are some of the activities you will see around Union Station (and some that you can't see).

Regional Bus Facility
Crews are continuing to work on waterproofing the roof of the underground bus facility. As sections of this work are complete, the backfill operation begins. This process will be ongoing for the month.

There is also activity on the interior of the underground bus facility. Crews areworking on the installation of electrical/mechanical rough-ins and masonry forinterior partitions.

Light Rail Platform
The Overhead Catenary System (OCS) poles and cantilevers installation will be ongoing as will work on the east platform.

Streets and Utilities
The utility installation on Wynkoop St. from 15th St. to 19th St. is nearing completion. This has been a collaborative effort with Qwest, Comcast, and DUS Project utility teams. There will continue to be lane, parking and sidewalk restrictions associated with this work. There are other ancillary utility projects, not managed by Kiewit, in the neighborhood as well, so please use caution when driving in this area.

Behind Denver Union Station
In preparation for the excavation for the next phase of the underground bus facility, demolition of old track, HOV lanes, train platforms, canopies and the old pedestrian tunnel are on-going. Once complete, crews will begin the de-watering process. Excavation in the area should begin in May.

DTP Commuter Rail Mock Up

To see a PDF mock-up of the commuter light rail line to DIA, please click HERE





(provided by Denver Transit Partners)

DUSPA Meeting Summary

Below is our summary of the DUSPA meeting April 7:





The meeting opened with the introduction of two new board members and followed with Jim Palmetto of CDOT stating that a Faster grant for improvements to the station related to Amtrak upgrades in the amount of $4,000,000 will be transferred to DUSPA by April 20, 2011.



Bill Mosher then presented the Owner Representative Report, as follows:






  • As of the end of March 2011, the overall project is 36 ½ % complete. The LRT is 77% complete, the CRT is 24% complete, the bus box is 36% complete, and the streets and plaza are 21% complete.



  • Kiewit is still trucking out asbestos.



  • Utility work at Chestnut St. is underway.



  • The 18th Street pedestrian bridge is 90% designed.



  • The Public Realm Design is scheduled for completion in late May 2011.



  • The closings for the USNC purchases of Market Street station is scheduled for end of April and the end of May for the Triangle parcel.



  • The public art process is underway.



Bill next addressed USA’s concern related to Public Works intention to vary from the Design Guidelines for crosswalks. The guidelines state that crosswalk should be of paving materials different than the concrete street. Bill agreed that the 17th Street pedestrian crossings at Wynkoop and Wazee should have distinguishing paving, and stated that he would take under consideration the other crossings stated in the guidelines.





The Landmark Commission will meet in mid-May to approve the Wynkoop Plaza design. Prior to that meeting the Peer Review group will give their recommendations on the design. The proposed final design will be presented in a public meeting on April 20, 2011. The proposed bike system will also be presented at that meeting.





Other issues presented included:







  • The Wynkoop Plaza will be 100% granite.



  • The current plan for accommodating public parking is to locate the 150 spaces in the Lot A building on the southwest side of the train shed.



Frank Cannon of USNC and Mark Falcone of Continuum Partners addressed planned future development and their proposal for the reuse of the historic station (see the USNC plan on their website, http://www.unionstationdenver.com/, to be updated by mid-May). The plan is for a bike station to be located between the EPA building and the triangle parcel. It will include locker rooms with showers, and maintenance and rental facilities. The IMA north-wing building is slated to start construction in the 2nd Quarter of 2012 with move-in by 2013. The planned south-wing building is now planned to be 5 stories, and will include 100,000 square feet. It will break ground in the 2nd quarter on 2012.





USNC is planning to develop two hotels on the triangle parcel lot. Their plan for A Block development includes 3 levels of parking (street level, B1 and B2) and will include 150 spaces for public parking. The B Block building is slated for high-density retail and 350 apartment units.




USNC’s plan for the historic station included:







  • The building would function primarily as a train station to include ticketing and baggage storage. The south wing would include a marketplace with spill-out seating on the Wynkoop Plaza, plus retail. The train room would house a café that spans two levels up to the mezzanine, a news stand, and a central information kiosk. The benches would be refurbished and set on carpet to mitigate sound reverberation. Wi Fi would be provided. A more detail description of USNC’s plan appeared in the April 10,2011 Denver Post article by Jeffrey Leib, Ideas for Union Station emerge as redevelopment moves ahead. See http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_17811286



  • Mark Falcone stated that the basic renovation costs for the historic station could be funded within the original budget (which according to the current budget is $17,000,000). Tenant improvements for the commercial leasable space would be separately funded by USNC.



Bill Sirois of RTD presented the results of the Expert Panel and the Stakeholder Group process for the reuse of the historic station. See preceding April 5, 2011 RTD board meeting report.
The final presentation at the meeting was by Randy Nichols and Bill Pruter of Nichols Partners who are proposing to develop a building at 20th and Chestnut to include a 42,000 square foot grocery store, 12,000 square feet of in-line retail, and 300 apartment units on the upper four floors. They are looking for a subsidy from the City for the grocery store portion of the development and were hoping for a positive stance by DUSPA for such a project. Several DUSPA board members were reluctant to show support for any private project proposals. The board decided that DUSPA’s Finance Committee would develop a guideline for addressing such requests.

RTD Meeting Debrief

Below is our notes taken from the RTD meeting in early April:

Bill Sirois presented a brief overview of the RTD’s process to assess reuse possibilities for the historic Union Station. He talked about both the Stakeholder group and the Expert panel. Representatives from both groups spoke after Bill stated that the resulting recommendation from the process is to expedite an RFQ/RFP process to generate the most creative ideas for reuse of the station. He said that three general uses were considered during the process: 1. Destination retail on the 1st floor and offices on the 2nd and 3rd floors, 2. A boutique hotel with some destination retail on the first floor, and 3. Some form of public use, like an art gallery. He stressed the small leasable space available in Union Station compared to other stations around the country.

Three members of the Expert panel spoke briefly. One addressed risk associated with each general use stated above. The first use, retail and offices, appears least risky, but perhaps not as creative as other uses that may come out of the RFQ/RFP process. Another stated that the hotel use needed to tie with a nearby existing hotel. This person also stated his reservations about the Wynkoop Plaza design (too many trees, not enough space for activities. The third reinforced the importance of coordinating the historic station reuse, the new wing buildings and the plaza design with the historic LoDo neighborhood.

Jerry Glick then spoke for the Stakeholder group, strongly supporting their recommendation for a RFQ/RFP process.

The floor was then open to questions and comments from the RTD Directors.

Union Station Neighborhood Company Shares Activation Plan

After 50 years of dormancy, the Union Station Neighborhood Company is reawakening Union Station, celebrating its history and transforming it into the centerpiece of a new neighborhood. To learn more, please click the following link:





http://issuu.com/riverfrontpark/docs/historic_station_activation_plan?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true

RTD Helps Save DUS History

As many of our supporters know, the pedestrian tunnel underneath Union Station was permanently filled in February. Since that time, we've had several questions and concerns regarding the signs and lockers within the pedestrian tunnel.





RTD, an an effort to preserve the historic integrity of these elements of the DUS pedestrian tunnel, is temporarily storing and housing the signs and lockers. There is currently a proposal on the streets for artists to use these historic elements in an interpretive signage display for DUS. Other tunnel signs have been given to the RTD marketing department or are being held in storage.





Thanks to RTD for their efforts to preserve, present, and store this important elements of Denver's history!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Public Meeting Wynkoop Plaza

The Denver Union Station Project Authority will host a public meeting to present updates on Wynkoop Plaza design, bike system integration, crosswalk enhancements, and public parking options. April 20, 2011 530 PM RTD Administrative Building 1600 Blake Street Rooms T&D

Thursday, April 7, 2011

March Newsletter

Our March Newsletter is now available! To read the newsletter, click HERE

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

RTD Public Meeting Tonight!

RTD will present their recommendations and conclusions for Denver Union Station tonight. Come and show your support of the project and learn more about what will be happening at DUS! Tuesday April 5 530PM 1600 Blake Street, Rooms T & D See you there!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

RTD DUS Update

RTD printed the below letter regarding their recommendations for the future uses of Denver Union Station. RTD staff will present the full recommendation and conclusions at a panel meeting Tuesday April 5, 530PM at 1600 Blake Street, Rooms T & D. The session is open to the public: March 29, 2011Denver Union Station - Interested Member of the Public: On March 10, our key stakeholder group completed their work on a recommendation for Union Station future uses and the process for moving forward with redevelopment efforts.The stakeholder group includes City and County of Denver, Denver Union Station Project Authority (DUSPA), Downtown Denver Partnership, Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association, Lower Downtown District Inc., Union Station Advocates, and Historic Denver.They recommended that RTD advance the following redevelopment/reuse goals and secure a development partner through a competitive RFQ/RFP process.

  1. New destination uses must activate the building during peak and non-peak transit times.

  2. New uses will energize Union Station as the regional transportation hub.

  3. New first floor uses will give life to the adjacent public realm and vice versa.

  4. The central train room must remain the focal point of the building and adjacent public realm.

  5. Redevelopment must preserve the historic integrity of the building.

  6. New uses should serve the neighborhood and the station district area.

  7. New uses must allow the building to be financially independent or have a dedicated funding source.
RTD staff will present the full stakeholder recommendation and the conclusions of an RTD-convened three-member panel of banking and real estate experts to the RTD Board's Planning and Development Committee at their regular meeting: Tuesday, April 5 at RTD offices (1600 Blake St. in downtown Denver) 5:30 p.m., Rooms T&D in the basement At the same time, the RTD staff will affirm their support for the stakeholders' recommendation, including the RFQ/RFP process. The committee meeting format allows for Board discussion and for questions from the Board to the stakeholders, the expert panel members and staff. It does not include a public comment period, though the session is open to the public. Copies of the April 5 presentation will be posted on the following web site after the meeting and your input is welcome anytime at: www.rtd-fastracks.com/dus_1 We hope to see you there!

Monday, March 28, 2011

USA Social Media

Union Station Advocates has decided as a board to re-engage the social media for our organization. The group will now formally engage with Twitter, Facebook, and this Blog to help encourage involvement by our members and followers. We encourage you to Follow Us on Twitter and Fan Us on Facebook!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Union Station Advocates Makes Final Recommendations

After months of conversations, the public process for the Denver Union Station Historic Building has been completed. Union Station Advocates, by discussing with various stakeholder groups and interested citizens, has submitted a final recommendation. Below is a summary of our final recommendations:

Overview
o Redevelopment goals
o Criteria to apply to any redevelopment idea (in an expanded submittal)
o Illustrative scenarios – apply the criteria to three possibilities
o Process

Goals

1. New destination uses must activate the building.
2. New uses should serve the neighborhood and the station district area as well.
3. New uses will energize and reestablish Union Station as the regional transportation hub.
4. New ground floor uses will give life to the adjacent public spaces and vice versa.
5. The central train room must remain the focal point of the building.
6. Redevelopment must preserve the historic integrity of the building.
7. New uses must allow the building to be financially independent or have a dedicated funding source.

Scenarios
We examined three scenarios and discussed whether each could meet the goals. While each has advantages and challenges, we determined that all three are viable alternatives that can realize the goals.

Scenario 1
1st Floor Retail attraction (specialty market or unique store)
Destination restaurant
Includes Amtrak and transit services
2nd Floor Office single tenant or multi-tenant
3rd Floor Office single tenant or multi-tenant

Scenario 2
1st Floor Hotel function
Hotel restaurant
Includes Amtrak and transit services
2nd Floor Hotel rooms and back-of-house
3rd Floor Hotel rooms

Scenario 3
1st Floor Civic or cultural destination
Destination restaurant
Includes Amtrak and transit services
2nd Floor Civic/cultural and office space
3rd Floor Office space

Process
Denver’s historic Union Station is one of region’s most significant standing structures. Its role as the centerpiece of Metro Denver’s FasTracks regional transit system will reaffirm and likely increase this significance. The successful reuse of the Historic Station is critical to the success of the entire Denver Union Station redevelopment, including the transportation elements and adjacent public spaces in which the citizens within the Regional Transportation District are investing considerable dollars. It will be very important to assure that the ultimate use of the historic station is determined through a process that encourages broad participation and elicits creative and financially sound solutions. The DUS Stakeholders believe that their goals and supporting criteria will have the greatest chance of being realized if RTD solicits proposals from a number of developers and evaluates the proposals to select the best solution for the historic station.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) would clearly communicate the project goals that have been identified though this DUS Stakeholder/Expert Panel public process. The RFP can make clear the funding and timing of the core and shell improvements that are part of the current DUS redevelopment project budget and also can include applicable federal procurement requirements. The RFP should set forth absolute requirements such as assured financing, satisfactory accommodation for AMTRAK and other essential elements of a successful reuse plan. The DUS Stakeholders believe that an RFP process will provide RTD with the best chance to receive creative and diverse proposals both from a spatial and a financial perspective and give them more choice in their ultimate decision for the successful reuse of the historic station.

Criteria
New destination uses must activate the building.
The new uses should serve the neighborhood and the station district area as well.
New uses will energize and reestablish Union Station as the regional transportation hub.
New ground floor uses will give life to the adjacent public spaces and vice versa.
The central train room must remain the focal point of the building.
Redevelopment must preserve the historic integrity of the building.
The new uses must, in the aggregate, allow the building to be financially independent, or the uses should have a dedicated funding source.



We would like to thank all of our supporters and interested citizens who have helped us form these final recommendations!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Union Station Tour this Saturday!

To all of our wonderful supporters,

Union Station Advocates, in partnership with Denver InFill, is hosting one of our semi-biweekly tours of the Union Station development. Join us this Saturday morning to learn about the history of the project and the development as it moves forward.

Saturday March 5
10-11AM
Meet in front of the historic station at 17th and Wynkoop at 950AM.
Tours begin promptly at 10AM.
Suggested donation for the tour is $10/person and all proceeds go to help Union Station Advocates in our cause and efforts.

Hope to see you Saturday!

Friday, February 11, 2011

DUS Stakeholder Meeting

This week, Union Station Advocates attended a stakeholder meeting for Denver Union Station. Below are the updates from the meeting, as well as agenda and current goals.

Based on feedback over the last month, RTD executive management has decided to delay by one month the presentation to the Board of a recommended action. We now have one more stakeholder meeting set up on March 10th at which we will be presented the recommendation from the Expert Panel. The Stakeholder Group will have the opportunity to finalize our recommendation with full knowledge of the Expert Panel’s recommendation. RTD staff will use the feedback from the Expert Panel, DUS Stakeholder Group and EPS (financial consultant) to create a recommendation that will be presented to the Fastracks Monitoring Committee on April 5th and the entire RTD Board will take up the matter on April 19th. There will be opportunity for additional public comment at the April 19th Board meeting.

Agenda:
Goals:
- Set Schedule
- Review Draft Recommendation

3:00 Schedule – Bill Sirois, RTD
3:40 Continuation – Stakeholders’ recommendation to RTD discussion
4:00 Adjourn

Stakeholder Recommendation:
Overview:
DUS Historic Building Stakeholders
  • DUSPA - Elbra Wedgeworth, Jerry Glick
  • City and County of Denver - Diane Barrett, Ellen Ittelson
  • Union Station Advocates -Anne Hayes, Ron Straka
  • Downtown Denver Partnership - John Desmond
  • Lower Downtown District Inc. - Holly Barrett, Chris Shears
  • Historic Denver - Annie Levinsky, John Olson
  • Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association - Mike West

Recommendations cover these topics

  • Redevelopment goals
  • Criteria to apply to any redevelopment idea (in an expanded submittal)
  • Illustrative scenarios - apply the criteria to three possibilities
  • Process
Goals
1. New uses must activate the building.
2. New uses will return Union Station to the transportation hub it once was.
3. New uses will give life to the public plazas and vice versa.
4. The central train room must remain a focal point.
5. Redevelopment must preserve the building's history.
6. New uses should serve the neighborhood and the station district plan.
7. New uses must allow the building to be financially independent or have a dedicated funding
8. source.

A more detailed set of criteria that expands this list of seven goals is attached.

Scenarios
We examined three scenarios and discussed whether each could meet the goals. While each has advantages and challenges, we determined that all three are viable alternatives that can realize the goals.

Scenario 1
1st Floor
- Retail attraction (specialty market or unique store)
- Destination restaurant
- Includes Amtrak and transit services

2nd Floor
- Office single tenant or multi-tenant

3rd Floor
- Office single tenant or multi-tenant

Scenario 2
1st Floor
- Hotel function
- Hotel restaurant
- Includes Amtrak and transit services

2nd Floor
- Hotel rooms and back-of-house

3rd Floor
- Hotel rooms

Scenario 3
1st Floor
- Civic or cultural destination
- Destination restaurant
- Includes Amtrak and transit services

2nd Floor
- Civic/cultural and office space

3rd Floor
- Office space

Process
To secure the best possible future use for Denver Union Station and the best possible development
agreement for RTD and the public, we recommend (all but 1, TBD) that the RTD Board issue a request
for proposals and select a development partner in a competitive process. Two considerations with
respect to this process will be the timing of project funds for core and shell improvements and
identifying Federal procurement requirements; resolution of these will make it possible for potential
development partners to create viable proposals.

Criteria
We recognize that it may be difficult to satisfy each and every item in the list that follows and we recognize that pursuing some of these objectives may foreclose the ability to pursue others. Nonetheless, we believe it is important to consider all of these objectives.

New uses must activate the building.
  • Uses should draw in visitors, residents and workers in Lower Downtown, the Commons neighborhood and downtown Denver, as well as create a destination for people everywhere in the Denver region.
  • A majority of new uses should be destination-oriented uses which meet the needs of transit users in peak and non-peak times and the needs of Lower Downtown, the Transit District and adjacent areas at all times.
  • Uses should draw in travelers on bus, light rail and commuter lines and enhance the transit/traveler experience:
  • Those who will move quickly through the station to catch a train or bus and those who travel to the station and then move quickly through the station to their downtown destination·
  • Those who will use their limited time in the building on the way to or from a transit trip for a quick bite to eat or a cup of coffee or to get a piece of information about their travel
  • Those who arrive and have time to shop, eat a leisurely meal, or walk through an exhibition that entertains, instructs or inspires.
  • Those who will be there for arriving or departing travelers.
  • New uses should give the building life day and night, seven days a week.

New uses will return Union Station to the transportation hub it once was.

  • The central train room, as an integral part of the public realm that connects Wynkoop Plaza and the new train hall, needs to be accessible at all hours of transit operations.
  • Uses in the train room should relate to the new train hall and create a visual connection through the historic central train room on the new train hall side of the building.
  • New first floor uses should activate the central train room, including accommodating Amtrak's needs with sufficient square footage in appropriate locations.
  • Suggested uses must recognize that the Union Station Project as a whole is a transportation project, and new uses must be compatible with FasTracks and Amtrak customers.

New uses will give life to the public plazas and vice versa.

  • Uses on the first floor of the north and south wings must relate to and take full advantage of the public plazas on the Wynkoop side of the building, drawing users into and out of the building and creating east-west pedestrian movement.
  • New uses on the ground floor of the historic building and in the new wing buildings offer an opportunity to activate the plaza space and should complement each other.

The central train raam must remain a focal point.

  • The central train room should not be substantially divided and the volume of space should maintain visual access to both sets of grand windows to the east and the west. Users should perceive the central train room as a singular space.
  • While the integrity of the central train room is important, this should not exclude the possibility of using the mezzanine as an integral part of the space and making it publicly accessible.
  • Uses adjacent to the central train room (on both first and second floors) are critical to help activate the space, provide natural surveillance (eyes on the space) and provide a visual connection from the exterior to and from the central train room.


Redevelopment must preserve the building's history.

  • Individual architectural features identified as original throughout the Historic Structures Assessment, regardless of their construction date, and the various finishes and materials that make up the walls, floors, and ceilings should be given every consideration for retention prior to planning for modifications.
  • Critical deficiencies, as outlined in the Historic Structures Assessment, should be addressed in any plan going forward and repairs to serious deficiencies should be given careful consideration when choosing any use or layout.
  • The central train room restoration should make the train room active while utilizing and preserving some or all of the benches in some configuration (repositioning, relocating or making them movable).
  • The uses must fit the physical constraints of the building envelope.

The new uses should serve the neighborhood and the station district plan.

  • The uses should support and complement the development program in the rest of the station district, Commons and Lower Downtown neighborhoods.
  • It is important to encourage uses unique to Denver, the transit district, Commons, Lower Downtown.

The new uses must, in the aggregate, allow the building to be financially independent, or the uses should have a dedicated funding source.

  • Using historic preservation tax credits, even though that could require selling the building to a private interest for at least some period of time, should be considered in financing the restoration and revitalization of the building.
  • Public/private partnerships should be encouraged as a way to meet the dual need for the building to serve the citizens of Denver, and to be financially self sustaining.
  • Uses must generate revenue for building renovation and cover building operations.
  • Uses must support tax generation in the project area which is essential to repay project debt.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

DUSPA Meeting Feb 3

The DUSPA Board held their monthly meeting on February 3rd. At the meeting, it was announced that Don Hunt would be resigning from the Board due to his new role as Executive Director of CDOT. Other discussions included the schedule for release of unaudited and audited financial statements according to the requirements of TIFIA and RRIF. The Owner Representative reported that the project is now 32.4% complete and that the light rail cutover date has been established to be July 19th. The board planned to visit the Rocky Mountain Precast yard to check on the progress of the vent tubes. New construction activities this month will include the start of installation for the overhead catenaries for light rail, start for above grade demolition west of the historic station to Wewatta. It was noted that Wewatta would be open until August. There are only 3 remaining design packages that require approval/release. The Pedestrian bridge is expected to be released 3/25/11, the redesign of track and throat will be released 3/30/11 and the final public realm design will be released 6/15/11. The Historic Station building drawings for its required new steam boiler is at 50%. The team will tackle the cooling design next. In general, the project continues to progress on schedule.

The meeting agenda was as follows:

REVISED AGENDA
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE DENVER UNION STATION PROJECT AUTHORITY
February 3, 2011
1:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
HOGAN LOVELLS
1200 Seventeenth Street
Suite 1500
Denver, CO 80202
303-899-7300


I. CALL TO ORDER
II. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
IV. ROLL CALL (See Attachment 1)
V. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES (January 6, 2011)
VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Resignation of Don Hunt as City Appointed Board Member
B. Finance Committee Report – Claude Pumilia
i) 2011 Plan of Finance Update – Doug McCleod
ii) 2010 Audit Status
C. Selection of External Auditor – Mike West
D. Owner’s Representative Report – Bill Mosher/Mike Sullivan
i) Update regarding Project Progress
ii) Change Order Update
a. Change Order Approval
iii) Update regarding Market Street Station Closing
E. Discussion of Federal Contract Issues – Dawn Bookhardt/Cole Finegan
VII. ACTION ITEMS
A. Approval of Change Orders
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
[The Board may enter into executive session in order to discuss certain matters as permitted under the Colorado Open Meetings Law (C.R.S. § 24-6-402 et seq.) related to financial and contract negotiations, financial management negotiations, and litigation.]
[ACTION ITEMS RESULTING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION]

IX. FUTURE MEETINGS:
A. March 3, 2011
B. April 7, 2011
X. ADJOURNMENT
ATTACHMENT 1

DIRECTORS


Laura Aldrete
Parsons Brinckerhoff
City Director
Jerry Glick
Columbia Group LLLP – President
City Director
[Don Hunt]
Antero – President
City Director
Bill Bianco
Davis Graham & Stubbs
City Director
Elbra Wedgeworth
Denver Health – CGCAO
City Director
Michael West
Michael D. West, CPA – CPA
City Director
Judy Montero
City Council District #9 – Councilwoman
City Director*
Claude Pumilia
City and County of Denver – CFO
Manager of Finance, ex officio*
Marla Lien
RTD – General Counsel
RTD Director
Kent Bagley
RTD – Board Member
RTD Director
Mark Imhoff
CDOT – Executive Director
CDOT Director
Jennifer Schaufele
DRCOG – Executive Director
DRCOG Director
Steve Kaplan
Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell
Met District Director

* Non-voting

Monday, February 7, 2011

Updated DUS Schedule

As the project continues to move forward, we've seen progress on the redevelopment schedule. Below is an updated timeline as given in January by RTD, Amtrak, and Denver Union Station Project Authority:

  • Feb. 1: Opening of temporary Amtrak Station at 1800 21st Street.
  • Feb. 1: Closure of the pedestrian tunnel from the historic station to the current light rail platform and Mall Shuttle stop.
  • Feb. 9: Closure of the Bus/HOV lane behind Union Station and re-routing of peak hour Regional and Express buses to Market Street Station.
  • Spring 2011: Construction of Chestnut Place.
  • Summer 2011: Opening of the new Light Rail Station and the extension of the 16th Street Mall Shuttle to the station.
  • Summer 2011: Closure of Wewatta Street behind Union Station and opening of Chestnut Place.
  • Summer 2011: Construction will begin on the next phase of the underground bus facility from Wewatta Street to the west side
    of the historic Denver Union Station building.
  • Ongoing: Continued utility relocation.
  • Ongoing: Work on the interior of the current phase of the underground bus facility.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

RTD Presentation on Denver Union Station

RTD held a public meeting on January 26th to report the progress on the planning process for the Historic Building at Denver Union Station. There are three separate groups that have been engaged by RTD in the planning process. A consultant, Economic & Planning Systems, has been engaged to run potential scenario financial analyses, a select panel of real estate and finance experts to lend their advice based on relevant experience and a stakeholder group, on which the City of Denver, Historic Denver, Downtown Denver Partnership, Denver Union Station Project Authority, LoDo District, Inc. and Union Station Advocates are all represented. These groups have been meeting regularly and sometimes together to generate a list of design and programming criteria, determine potential uses and suggest a future process for implementation. The goal is to forward a consensus opinion to the RTD Board of Directors by end of February. The Board is scheduled to decide on a strategy at its March 15th board meeting. USA would appreciate any opinions that you wish to convey. Please take a look at the most recent summary power point presentation and let us know your thoughts. You can send them to info@unionstationadvocates.org.

To see RTD's information, please see either of the following links:
http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/dus_1

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/media/uploads/dus/DUS_public_meeting_012611_FINAL.pdf

Thanks, and we look forward to hearing your opinions!

Monday, January 31, 2011

Amtrack Relocation Postponed

For Immediate Release from Denver Union Station Project Authority and Regional Transportation District:

Amtrak relocation from Denver Union Station
to temporary station POSTPONED

Move to temporary location delayed due to sub-zero weather conditions

DENVER – The Amtrak move from Denver Union Station to the temporary station at 1800 21st St., has been postponed until Friday, February 4, 2011. Predicted sub-zero temperatures and other severe weather conditions will delay the necessary track changes.

Amtrak operates two trains daily through Denver – the westbound California Zephyr departing at 8:05 a.m. and the eastbound California Zephyr departing at 7:10 p.m. The California Zephyr runs between Chicago and Emeryville.

Amtrak passengers who use Amtrak Thruway Motorcoaches at Denver to connect with the
Amtrak Southwest Chief at Raton, N.M. will continue using Denver Union Station until the temporary station opens on Friday, February 4.

Last year, 128,410 Amtrak passengers used the Denver station. For more information, Amtrak customers locally can call 303-825-2583 or the toll-free Amtrak contact centers at 800-USA-RAIL.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Union Station Tour This Saturday!

Just a reminder to everyone to attend a tour of Union Station this Saturday! Those who wish to attend should meet in front of the historic station at 17th and Wynkoop at 9:50AM. Tours begin promptly at 10AM. Your $10 donation will go towards the Union Station Advocates mission and will buy you a 3 month membership!

This is the last time to tour this historic tunnel under the station, which will be closed forever starting February 1.

Hope to see you there!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

DUS Public Meeting

For those who are interested, a public meeting is scheduled for Denver Union Station on January 26. The public meeting, put on by RTD FasTracks, will focus on the historic building reuse. Attendees will hear an update of study progress that will help inform decisions regarding the most appropriate and economically feasible uses for the station.

Wednesday January 26, 2011
530-730PM
Regional Transportation District Administrative Offices
1600 Blake Street, Rooms T & D
Denver, CO 80202

We hope to see you there!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Portal to Progress Screening

Union Station Advocates, in partnership with the LoDo District, presents Denver Union Station: Portal to Progress.

From past glory to future promise, discover the legacy of a grand community icon and participate int he rebirth of Denver's Union Station.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Oxford Hotel Ballroom
1637 Wazee Street
530-615 PM Cash Bar and Popcorn
615-730 PM program
$20 General Admission
$35 Admission & DVD

Film will begin with an introduction by Dana Crawford with post film comments by producer Jim Havey.

Please RSVP to info@unionstationadvocates.org

Proceeds will be used to support Union Station Advocates' and LoDo District's missions to assure great civic spaces and promote the historic integrity of Union Station and the Lower Downtown Neighborhood.

Monday, January 10, 2011

USA to Show Portal to Progress

Union Station Advocates, in participation with the Lodo District, will be showing the film Denver Union Station: Portal to Progress. The event will be in support of these two non-profit organizations and will offer an opportunity for citizens to garner knowledge for what is happening on the site.

From past glory to future promise, discover the legacy of a grand community icon and participate in the rebirth of Denver's Union Station.

Oxford Hotel Ballroom
1637 Wazee Street
5:30 - 6:15 PM Cash Bar and Popcorn
6:15 - 7:730 Program

$20 General Admission
$35 Admission + DVD

Please email RSVP to info@unionstationadvocates.org

Proceeds will be used to support the missions of Union Station Advocates and LoDo District to assure great civic spaces and promote the historic integrity of Union Station and the Lower Downtown neighborhood.

Hope to see everyone at this event!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Union Station Landscape Plans Updated

In the month of December, Union Station Advocates was given the opportunity to overlook some recent landscape developments for the Union Station Redevelopment site. The landscape plans identify concrete pavers for the Wynkoop Plaza, though the design team has been instructed to design additional options for granite pavers, an option that the team is still attempting to fund.

The landscape plans also identify an issue of much debate: the trees at the Union Station development. Some stakeholders would like to see the entire site populated with Honey Locust trees, matching the 16th Street Mall design. However, at the Kennedy building, existing plum trees are already thriving. The design team plans to examine each option to find the highest and best use of the site and the trees that will encompass the landscaping.

If you have comments about either of these issues, please let us know so we can pass them to the design team!

Monday, January 3, 2011

Tour Dates

Due to the holiday season, tours will start up again on January 15, 2011. Come join us for the first tour of 2011!

Saturday Jan 15
In front of historic station at 17th and Wynkoop
10-11AM, rain or shine
$10 donation which buys you a 3 month membership!