This News Update includes details of a gala event at Union Station in the coming month of October, and the two DUSPA meeting that have taken place this month.
A Night in Old Union Station: A Benefit to Revive the Welcome (Mizpah) Arch
Celebrate the Arch with Honorary Chairmen Mayor John Hickenlooper, Helen Thorpe, and Councilwoman Judy Montero. Join us for this gala event at Union Station on:
October 15, 2009 from 7 to 11 P.M.
Ticket options include:
The Oyster Bar/Patron Level – tickets are $200.00 each. The Oyster Bar will be located on the mezzanine level and will feature reserved table seating, gourmet dining ala Grand Central Station, seafood at the Raw Bar, hors d’oeuvres, wine provided by Dry Creek Vineyards, and family style dinner with New Orleans flavors. There will also be premier seating for the entertainment.
The Main Dining Hall - tickets are $100.00 each. The main Dining Hall is Entertainment Central. It will feature gourmet buffet dining, open seating, with free beer provided by Coors. The theme will be a celebration of international immigration through the Mizpah Arch in the historic first two decades of the 1900s. Food and drink will be contributed by Denver’s finest establishments.
Speakeasy – tickets are $40 each. The Speakeasy will be located in the departure tunnel. Tickets include free beer donated from Coors, and a good light dinner fare. A cash bar will also be available. Sullivans is providing a jazz band that will also play music for tango dancing. Costumes are optional. Flapper attire is encouraged. There will be a prize for the best costume.
For tickets R.S.V.P. to: www.blacktie-colorado.com
R.S.V.P. Code: USA10/15
Also check: www.anightinoldunionstation.com
September 3, 2009 DUSPA Meeting
The meeting opened with Chad Fuller, Senior Financial Analyst for the City, discussing the Plan of Financial Schedule for the project. He stated the RRIF and TIFIA loans seem to be on schedule for approval in November, 2009. The City is reviewing sample financing agreements for the RRIF loan and clarifying eligible costs for this loan. 100% of DUSPA’s costs are considered direct costs.
Alex Brown recapped discussions with the Standard &Poor’s rating request. He stated that S&P asked for more information on seven matters, which have been responded to in a letter. The Credit Committee meets next week and will address these matters. He also talked about addressing liquidity issues during construction. A new financial model to reflect cash needs during construction is being prepared.
Bill Mosher reviewed selected items from a critical issues list, as follows:
- Wewatta Street traffic will be rerouted as of Wednesday September 9th for a 24” water line.
- Amtrak is to sign off on a plan for a temporary station within the Union Station site.
- A state grant to Historic Denver for $133,000 will be used by the project team to assess implications of restoring the historic station. Slaterpaull is the architect firm selected to perform this work. DUSPA will expand upon the scope of this engagement, under the auspices of the Building Evaluation Team Process.
- The interviews for selection of the Public Representative are complete and DUSPA is in negotiation with a candidate. Selection is projected for October, 2009.
- Locations for parking at Union Station are under consideration with Lot G being re-examined first. If Lot G does not work, other options will be considered.
- Maintenance of the site is a pressing issue. RTD will maintain its facilities, but the maintenance of the other areas (including the public spaces) remains unresolved. USNC will need a decision on this matter for development of Lot A.
- The Lot A under-build ramp under track improvements from 16th Street was mentioned as a critical item. Regarding Lot B, Mosher stated that it was important to preserve the option to build over the tracks, which brings the pedestrian bridge in question. Foundations would need to be constructed during track improvements which will occur before any development on Lot B.
- Peer Group Recommendations for the LRT plaza, mid-block (West 17th Street) stairs and the CRT shed were discussed, as follows:
> For the LRT plaza, the changes have been accepted and consideration is being given to the building materials.
> For the mid-block stairs, the major public ingress and egress option is deemed infeasible, but the stairs will be redesigned for improved use.
> For the CRT shed, the design team is looking at the time, design and construction implications of extending the space between columns from 15’ to 30’. Two other changes are altering the shape of the shed from rectangular to oval, and redesigning the beams to be parallel to the train station. Note: A fourth item was added to the Critical Issues List regarding the connection of the canopy to the train station.
Jerry Glick introduced the initiative by Dana Crawford and Union Station Advocates for “A Night in Old Union Station” to be held October 15, 2009 at the station, which will be a fundraiser to re-establish a replica of the Welcome (Mizpah) Arch. A discussion ensued. Bill Mosher stated that he had architects looking into possible locations for the replica. Others posed questions that Jerry and Bill couldn’t answer, so it was suggested that Dana meet with the DUSPA board.
September 17, 2009 DUSPA Meeting
Business items include: The resignation of Peggy Catlin of CDOT from the board and replacement by Rush George of CDOT. The current officers were re-elected: Elba Wedgeworth, President; Jerry Glick, Vice President; and Tom Gougeon, Secretary. It was announced that the Owner Representative Agreement with Trammel Crow has been signed and extends through 2013.
Financial Report: There will be a peer review of the Federal Loans by an independent third party. The RRIF and TIFIA loan applications are in process including completion of the standard form documents. Application for the RRIF loan will be in the magnitude of $200,000,000. The S&P credit rating process is moving forward. The Financial Plan, a legal document, is in development. It addresses funds management and includes a funding matrix showing cash flow, liquidity requirements, revenue sources, and a plan for any surpluses. Timing of debt repayment is addressed. The finance team is also talking to banks regarding terms for a line of credit.
Work on the Union Station Building is to be contracted for separately from work outside the building as only the latter is Federal eligible. The work inside the historic building is being referred to as non-Federal eligible.
Field work on a 24” by-pass water line commenced September 8, 2009, but was halted for some mitigation work. This is not expected to delay the project schedule as it was anticipated.
The Denver Union Station building assessment ($17 Million) is due November 1, 2009.
The final item discussed in the open part of the meeting related to the relocation of AMTRAK to a temporary station at the Light Bulb Supply building for a three year period. AMTRAK is in discussions with the new Ski Train regarding use of this site.
Public Meeting – Transit Architecture Update
The Denver Union Station Project Authority (DUSPA) will hold a public meeting Thursday, October 1, 2009, to present ongoing schematic design work for the project's transit related architectural design features and initial design concepts for the public spaces linking the transit modes . The meeting will be held from 5:30-7:00 PM in the RTD Administrative Office, 1600 Blake Street, in Rooms T&D. The meeting is open to the public.
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 the second and fourth Mondays of each 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. The Roundtable committee is currently identifying agenda topics for the next series of Roundtable meetings coming this fall. If you have a suggestion for a Roundtable meeting, please send us an email to info@UnionStationAdvocates.org
Union Station Advocates Is Now On Facebook!
Are you a USA member or just excited about our historic Union Station and its big transformation? Join us on Facebook by being a fan of Union Station Advocates! Here’s a link:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Union-Station-Advocates/43803914945?ref=ts
To download a copy of this newsletter in PDF format, click here.
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