Roving Reporter in the Field - November

Exciting changes have taken place over the last 30 days at the Union Station site. The dirt and metal has started to take form. Union Station Advocates is proud to offer the point-of-view of our Roving Reporter in the Field, Rick Anstey, who takes notes on daily growth and monthly development. Below are brief updates of the site which have transpired during the month of November:

• Construction of the roof of the bus terminal has been underway since early November.


• Backfilling behind the walls started at about the same time using dirt from the two large piles on the site.


• Concrete partitions are being built to separate machinery (air-handling equipment, etc) from the bus and passenger areas of the terminal.


• The concrete floor for the light rail passenger platform has been poured.


• Renovation of the temporary Amtrak station appears to be complete: the outside walls have been painted, signage has been added, and the parking lot is striped.


• Much of the concrete floor of the Amtrak passenger platform has been poured.


• Frequent updates and detailed photos can be found at www.Denverinfill.com/blog/

Stay tuned for more updates!

Evaluating Future Uses of Union Station

At a public meeting on October 15, RTD presented an informal look at the process RTD will use for evaluating the future uses of the historic station.



The evaluation will address the following issues:

1. Transportation


2. Preservation


3. Neighborhood


4. Public Access


5. Finances

Each of the 5 areas are intertwined and must all complement each other with trade-offs required. Public meetings and stakeholder meetings will help to evaluate these issues. Final recommendations regarding these 5 areas are set to be made in February.

If any of our Union Station Advocates members or interested citizens are concerned about these areas of RTD, feel free to let us know! We look forward to hearing RTD's results of this evaluation.

Tour the Denver Union Station Redevelopment Site

In an effort to engage the public and keep the citizens informed, Union Station Advocates, in partnership with DenverInfill, is offering one-hour guided walking tours of the Denver Union Station project site. The tours will provide an overview of this exciting project and a description of current construction activities. Stay engaged and informed about Union Station's transformation by joining Union Station Advocates on a tour!

• Where:
  Tours start in front of the historic station at 17th and Wynkoop
  


• When:
  First, third, and fifth (as applicable) Saturday of each month
  10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, arrive by 9:55 AM
  Tours will happen rain or shine
  


• Who:
  Limit 15 people per tour, first come first served
  


• Donation:
  $10 per person, cash only

We look forward to seeing you onsite!

RTD Forms Stakeholder Group

Over the next three months, a group of stakeholders has been assembled by RTD to assess the possible reuses of Denver Union Station. A recommendation, as decided upon by this group of stakeholders, will be made to the RTD Board of Directors in early February 2011. This post elucidates the stakeholder representatives, purpose, vision, and role.

Members of the Stakeholder Group:

• Elbra Wedgeworth/Jerry Glick - DUSPA
• Annie Levinsky - Historic Denver
• Anne Hayes/Ron Straka - Union Station Advocates
• John Desmond - Downtown Denver Partnership
• Mike West - Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association
• Holly Barrett/Chris Shears - Lower Downtown District, Inc.
• Diane Barrett/Ellen Ittelson - City and County of Denver
• Bill Sirois - RTD

As a first step, the group is working on a protocol document that will guide all future discussions. This document will establish:

• Purpose of the Stakeholder Committee
• Group Member Roles
• Facilitation
• Public Input
• Denver Union Station Vision Statement
• Potential Uses of the Station Building
• Funding/Operations Options for Station Building
• Goal of Consensus

Activity Dates:

• Public Meeting – October, 14 2010
  Launch the Process
  Open the Way for Public Input and for Communication between the Stakeholder Group and the Public
  Review Vision and Goals
  Discuss Tradeoffs
  
• Stakeholder Meeting #1 - October, 28 2010
  Affirm Process and Protocols
  Review/Revise/Ratify Goals
  Translate These Into Evaluation Criteria
  Discuss Data Needs and Begin Data Presentations
  First Look – Options/Alternatives
  Expert Panel
  
• Stakeholder Meeting #2 - November, 18 2010
  Building Tour
  Review Data
  3:00 – 5:00 USNC’s office
  In Denver Union Station
  Expert Panel
  
• Stakeholder Meeting #3 - December 16, 2010
  Discuss Options
  Expert Panel
  
• Stakeholder Meeting #4 - January 13, 2011
  Review Independent Evaluation
  Discuss Options/Alternatives
  Identify Most Promising Option or Options
  Discuss Governance
  Begin Consensus Building on Recommendation to RTD Board
  
• Public Meeting #2
  Present Preliminary Conclusions
  Take Feedback
  Expert Panel
  
• Stakeholder Meeting #5
  Build Consensus on Recommendation to RTD Board, January 27, 2011
  Findings to RTD Board, February 1, 2011RTD Board Action, February 15, 2011

We encourage our readers and members to engage in public input meetings! Join us in helping to make Union Station a great public space!