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.