USA February 2010 News Update

Two public meetings related to the Union Station Project took place in February, one DUSPA meeting and one Landmark Preservation Commission meeting. Summaries are provided below. Notable also was the premier, attended by 800 people, of the film by Havey Productions, Denver Union Station: Portal to Progress. For those of you that missed this outstanding historic account of Union Station, Union Station Advocates in cooperation with Havey Productions invites you to view it on March 18, 2010. See invitation details below.

We start this News Update with an invitation to USA members and guests to a Social at Gumbo’s Restaurant to celebrate the great news of the approval of the Union Station project Federal loans. For more on the loan approval and the first building to go under contract, check www.unionstationadvocates.org.

March 3, 2010: Gumbo’s Social

The federal loans for the Union Station project have been approved! Please join Union Station Advocates for celebratory drinks and Louisiana fare at Gumbo’s on Wednesday, March 3rd from 5:30 – 7:00PM. Gumbo’s great drinks specials will be provided as well as complementary gumbo with any cocktail purchase. Gumbo’s is located on the 16th Street Mall at Wazee Street.

March 18, 2010: Film Invitation: Denver Union Station: Portal to Progress

Please join Union Station Advocates and Havey Productions in viewing the outstanding new film: Denver Union Station - Portal to Progress

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

Thursday, March 18, 2010 - 5:30 – 7:00 PM

The event will take place at the Oxford Hotel Ballroom - 1637 Wazee Street - Denver, CO. A cash bar will be offered. Prices are as follows:

$15.00 - General Admission

$30.00 – Admission, DVD of the film

$60.00 - Admission, DVD of the film, Union Station Advocates membership

Film introduction by Dana Crawford with a post-film discussion by Jim Havey. Proceeds will be used to further Union Station Advocates’ mission of assuring design excellence and enduring success of a redeveloped Station and its surrounding public realm.

Reservations – Purchase tickets by check to Union Station Advocates, c/o Tyler Reed, Treasurer, Frederick Ross Company, 717 17th St., Suite 2000, Denver, CO 80202 or online at www.unionstationadvocates.org/membership

To download a PDF of the March 18 Film Invitation, click here.

February 4, 2010 - DUSPA Meeting

Owner Representative Report by Bill Mosher:

• A layout of the current bus facility plans has been posted to the DUSPA website: www.denverunionstation.org in order to facilitate discussion of the proposed change to remove the moving sidewalks.
• There will be a joint meeting of the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) and the State Historical Preservation Society to review the proposed canopy designs for the canopy connecting the station to the train shed.
• RTD has moved into Suite 250 of the station.
• A Memo of Understanding (MOA) with Amtrak is under review covering a lease with the Stadium District related to the relocation of the Amtrak facility to the Light Bulb Supply building.
• An assessment by Historic Denver of the renovation/improvement needs of the historic station will initiate the week of February 8th.
• Under consideration is what entity might provide auditing service to DUSPA for its federal compliance reporting.

Private Development Report by Tom Gougeon of USNC:

• The first two site acquisitions by USNC will be Block B in first quarter 2010 and Block A by the end of 2010. The triangular Block C is slated for 2011.
• Regarding the current status of private development plans, IMA Financial has committed to lease the top four floors of the five-story building to be built on Block B (on the north side of the Wynkoop Plaza). The south building will be four stories. USNC is pursuing discussions with interested parties for two additional building sites in the Tax Increment Financing district. These three buildings could generate $4 Million in tax revenues to be applied toward repayment of the FTA loans.
• Regarding parking, the two buildings to be constructed on the Wynkoop Plaza will each have two levels of parking which could be made available for public parking on evenings and weekends.
• USNC is obliged to develop public space operations and management cost estimates, and a public infrastructure management plan and budget, participate in the station building assessment, and develop a budget and schedule for station renovations, develop a parking solution for the 19 acre site, assess bike station options, and assess tail-track options.
• In order for USNC to obtain a CO (Certificate of Occupancy) for the north wing building, DUSPA will need to have developed a 20’ right of way in the public space on the south facing side of the building that would provide the required access to the main entry.

February 16, 2010 - Landmark Preservation Committee Meeting

The Landmark Preservation Commission met on Tuesday, February 16th to discuss the canopy connection between the historic station and the new train shed. Ellen Ittleson of the City wanted the Commission to seek a consensus on the placement of the canopy in order to avoid a conflict with State historical groups and other entities. Formal approval will take place at a later time.

Options were presented concerning a smaller footprint for the canopy, the structure itself with a lower arch than currently shown, and the use of a translucent membrane as a change from the white, denser fabric. The canopy options were attaching the canopy to the train hall (1A or 1B), or, the canopy as an independent structure two to three feet away from the DUS building (2A or 2B). The need for water drainage has been taken into consideration on all four corners of the canopy.

1A or 1B would use existing structure in place now and would be constructed to look like it was part of the past historic structure. 1B would require new interior columns. A question was raised as to the condition of the existing steel and the structural capability of the masonry wall. SOM has not investigated this issue.

DUSPA, with the advice of the Peer Review Committee, recommended 2A for the following reasons: the canopy does not touch the building; it provides transparency and is lighter in weight; and 2B requires a larger structure to be built.

The Commission reached the consensus that option 2A was the preferred alternative for SOM to pursue. It was stated that people are concerned about the canopy attaching to the building. The canopy is to be made as transparent as possible to achieve the least intrusive impact while conforming to the original historical structure.

Membership Renewal Time!

It is now time to renew your membership! Renewing your membership is easy, just go to: http://www.unionstationadvocates.org/membership.html

Thank you for your continued support!

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 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 PDF version of this newsletter, please click here.

It's a Celebration!!

The Federal Loans for the Union Station Project have been approved! Please join the Union Station Advocates for celebratory drinks and Louisiana fare at Gumbo’s on Wednesday, March 3rd from 5:30 – 7:30PM. Gumbo’s great drink specials will be provided as well as complementary gumbo with any cocktail purchase. Gumbo's is located on the 16th Street Mall at Wazee Street.

In an effort to raise awareness of the Union Station Advocate's and increase our membership base, we're looking forward to a great turnout. With that, please pass this invitation on to others as all are welcomed.

Film Premiere: during the cocktail hour we'll announce the details for another showing of Havey Production's Union Station: A Portal to Progress! If you have yet to see this film this is your second chance to learn more about Denver's history and the importance of our Historic Union Station.

Look forward to seeing you all there!!

USA January 2010 News Update

This News Update includes USA reports on two DUSPA meetings and a City Planning Board meeting. It also references links to two Denver Post articles this month regarding Union Station project matters, and provides a brief update regarding the ColoRail lawsuit.

But first is the following announcement of the February 5th National Film Premier: Denver Union Station – Portal to Progress.

Union Station Film Premier

Announcement: From Havey Productions, creators of Colfax Avenue: Main Street Colorado, and Downtown Denver: Heart of the Queen, comes a new documentary film about one of the most recognizable buildings in Denver: Union Station.

The film premiers on February 5, 2010, at the Convention Center Hyatt Regency for the National Film Premiere of Denver Union Station: Portal to Progress. The event is being produced in association with Colorado Preservation, Inc. as the culmination of their Saving Places Conference. The premiere is open to the public.

Proceeds from this event will be used to distribute the film to 2000 public schools and libraries throughout Colorado. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this celebration of the past glory and future promise of a grand community icon, Denver Union Station: Portal to Progress.

Patron level tickets are available for $100. The Patron Reception starts at 5:30 P.M. and includes a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres. General admission ($15) starts at 6:00 P.M. with remarks and the film presentation commencing at 7:00 P.M.

REGISTRATION

For more information or to register to receive an invitation to the film premiere visit

www.coloradopreservation.org. Also, see the Events page of the USA website:

www.unionstationadvocates.org/events

Denver Post Articles

Links to two January 2010 Denver Post articles related to Union Station:

Denver City Council votes to back up federal loan for Union Station By Christopher N. Osher The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_14268277#ixzz0dwYB65J0

RTD officials steamed over proposal to cut moving walkways from Union Station overhaul By Jeffrey Leib The Denver Post:

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_14275638#ixzz0dwXYqeT0

January 7, 2010 – DUSPA Meeting Minutes

I. KEY DISCUSSION ITEMS

A. TIFIA/RRIF Progress Report and Update – Claude Pumilia/Chad Fuller/Alex Brown

B. Owner’s Representative Report – Bill Mosher/Mike Sullivan

i) Update regarding Project Progress

ii) Update regarding U.S. Department of Transportation Budget Submittal

iii) Correspondence from Stuart A. Ohlson, AIA

II. ACTION ITEM: Approval of U.S. Department of Transportation Budget Submittal

USA Report:

TIFIA/RIFF report by Claude Pumilia

The current target for negotiations to be complete is March 2010. The DOT loan application will be submitted to the Credit Council at the end of January 2010.

Owner Representative Report by Bill Mosher:

The latest projected date for the Notice to Proceed on the project is April 5, 2010.

Stuart Ohlson submitted an alternative proposal for the bus box which the DUSPA board reviewed. They decided to stay with the current plan.

Construction Update:

Activities include profiling the soil (contamination was found, but there were no hazardous conditions), negotiating the MOA with Amtrak, and refining the smoke evacuation plans for the bus box, Other matters mentioned were that RTD is setting up a project management office in Suite 250 of the station, all permits are ready, and there will be update presentations to the City Council/FASTRACKS committee and to RTD at their retreat. It is expected that the issue of the moving sidewalks in the bus concourse will be discussed in these update meetings. At some date in late January USNC will present their plans for the new 16th and 18th Street wing buildings on Wynkoop Plaza. Also, there will be a presentation to the City Planning Board regarding the public realm design on January 20, 2010.

January 20, 2010 – Planning Board Meeting Summary

USA report:

The City Planning Commission met regarding the encroachment into the 17th Street corridor area on the west side of DUS, DUS Urban Design Package #2. Prior to the opening of the meeting the West Washington Park HOA president spoke on behalf of her own personal opinion regarding light rail. She stated that 99% of people don’t live within a ½ mile of a light rail station and they don’t know how to use it. She stated that people need to be educated on the usefulness and convenience of light rail and then the electorate may be more inclined to support it.

Permitted Encroachments: The encroachment was reviewed within the criteria for consistency of the DUS Standards and Guidelines– massing and form, character, entries, accessories, etc. The fabric of the canopy is self-cleaning. There is some debate as to the color of the steel support structures for the canopy, but the paint regardless of color will get dirty and it is RTD’s responsibility for maintenance. The Wewatta Pavilion, like the train canopy, has a design of sliding glass doors for access down to buses.

No one attending the meeting spoke at the public hearing for or against the encroachment. The staff recommended to the planning commission that the encroachment be approved and the redefined height be accepted. Motions were made and both issues approved by unanimous vote of the commission.

Vent Tubes: The planning commission moved on to the next item of business concerning redesign of the vent tubes at the light rail terminal. The information given was only informational with no public hearing allowed. Kristopher Takacs of SOM stated that the vent tubes would be of precast materials with the size of the tubes remaining the same and the design broken up into three pieces. The motif would simulate a tree design (branches) with a layering affect. The concrete would be sandblasted for a two tone reading of the skin. The vent tubes would be animated at night through upward extended lighting. Kristopher anticipated questions of people’s ability to climb the structures, bird proofing the tubes, noise issues and the tubes covered at the top with a grating design. Graffiti is deemed not an issue as the concrete will be coated with an anti-graffiti paint that can be re-applied when it wears off. Kristopher believes that the tubes’ tree effect will be high enough in height that the tubes will not become climbing walls. One commissioner asked the question of skateboarders using the sides of the tubes for leverage to push off. This question was not adequately answered.

The planning commission complimented SOM on the redesign and appeared generally in favor of the changes.

Status of ColoRail Lawsuit

In May 2009, Colorado Rail sued the Federal Transportation Agency over its approval of the Environmental Impact Statement for the Union Station project. Since then the federal judge reviewing the case has requested more detail from the parties involved in the suit by mid-February. RTD has submitted an Amicus Brief. When asked about the status of the lawsuit by City Council on January 25, 2010, Cole Finnegan responded that the suit was still in the discovery phase.

January 21, 2010 DUSPA Meeting Summary

Per Bill Mosher, the public part of the meeting focused on the DUSPA board and the City approving a Contingent Commitment for the subordinate RIFF loan. See note below:

Other business included approval of CDOT to receive a portion of the grant money, the City entering into an agreement for a temporary AMTRAK facility, and reference to an expected announcement about plans for the North Wing Building on the Wynkoop Plaza

Note: At the City Council meeting on January 25, 2010, a questioned was raised regarding the City’s exposure in making this commitment. The answer was that it was minor as it would not potentially be called before 2020, there were two reserve funds that would activate before any call on the commitment, and the maximum exposure to the City would be $8,000,000.

The following is the makeup of the DUSPA Board:

DIRECTORS

Mario Carrera - Entravision Communications – VP/GM - City Director

Jerry Glick - Columbia Group LLLP – President - City Director

Don Hunt - Antero – President - City Director

Robin Kniech - FRESC – Program Director/Staff Attorney - 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

Terry Howerter - RTD – Chief Financial Officer - RTD Director

Russell George - CDOT – Executive Director - CDOT Director

Jennifer Schaufele - DRCOG – Executive Director - DRCOG Director

Tom Gougeon - Union Station Neighborhood Company - Met District Director

* Non-voting

Membership Renewal Time!

For those of you that joined Union Station Advocates in 2008 it is now time to renew your membership! Your continued support is much appreciated. Please keep an eye out for an email concerning your membership renewal or you can go to the USA membership webpage and renew today: http://www.unionstationadvocates.org/membership.html

Thank you for your continued support!

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.

LoDoNA Event

PLEASE JOIN LoDoNA FOR THEIR ANNUAL MEETING:

“Trains, Brains and Meat on a Stick”

Wednesday, February 3, 5:15 PM

1513 Wynkoop Street

5:15 – Membership renewal and Social Hour

6:00 – Business Meeting

6:20 – Featured Presentation

Update on Union Station activities presented by:

Judy Montero , Councilwoman District 9

Bill Mosher , Project Owners’ Representative

Tom Gougeon , Union Station Neighborhood Company

Diane Barrett , Special Assistant to Mayor Hickenlooper

$ 10 for LoDoNA members, $ 15 for non-members, payable at the door

Included are one complimentary drink ticket and a bottomless selection of appetizers.

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 PDF version of this News Update, please click here.

Roundtable Monday - Mizpah Arch 2

Due to some scheduling conflicts with the Northern Trust Room, we have relocated for this meeting. David Tryba has graciously offered us the main conference room at his office for our meeting. Tryba's office is at 16th and Logan and the entrance is off of Logan Street (just north of the entrance to the residence). There are a few guest parking spaces in the alley and plenty off-street 2-hour parking on the surrounding streets.

Looking forward to seeing you at the meeting!

When: Monday, January 11, 5:30-6:30pm

Where: Tryba Architects (1620 Logan Street)

Levi Reeves

Roundtable Director

PS. The original email can be accessed here:

PPS: Roundtables are a benefit to our members. If you are not a member, we would love to have you! Visit our membership website at www.unionstationadvocates.org/membership to join!

USA December 2009 News Update

Happy New Year!

Union Station Advocates (USA) wishes you a prosperous 2010! With the commencement of construction in earnest, 2010 should be an exciting year for the Union Station project. USA will continue to keep you informed monthly of progress on the project, so stay tuned.

The following report concludes our 2009 News Updates. It includes reports on two DUSPA meetings held in the month of December, a link to an article by Jeff Leib of the Denver Post regarding the consideration to remove the moving sidewalks in the bus station, and a report from a USA Roundtable Meeting regarding a possible placement of a replica of the Mizpah Arch.

First up is a recap of some of USA’s major initiatives in 2009.

Major USA Initiatives in 2009

Throughout the Year:

• Monthly Roundtables
• Attendance and reporting on all DUSPA and Public Meetings
• Revamp of USA Website
• Addition of Paula Grey, Liz Orr, Mike LaMair and Gary Taipalus to the USA board

February: Governance Symposium in concert with the Downtown Denver Partnership

• Panel of representatives from five cities with varied model public spaces
• Closed sessions with Union Station project representatives and a session open to the public
• USA-prepared letter to DUSPA summarizing the panel’s recommendations and USA’s comments

April: Celebration of Union Station

• Wine and Hors d’oeuvres on the mezzanine of the Train Room
• Tours of the model trains by Platte Valley and Western Model Railroad Club

April: Havey Film Contribution

• Raised and contributed $5000 for the Havey Production film about Union Station
• Posted a 7-minuted trailer for the film on website and showed it at the Union Station gala in November, 2009

July: Member/Guest Panel Presentation

• Facilitated by Councilwoman Montero
• Welcome by Mayor Hickenlooper
• Update presentations by Tom Gougeon, Jerry Glick and Diane Barrett
• Q&A from audience of over 100 people

November: A Night in Old Union Station

• Over 800 people attended the gala affair
• Over 650 tickets sold
• Generous in-kind contributions from local vendors
• Raised about $70,000 toward Arch Fund
• Launched Buy-a-Light fundraiser

December 3, 2009 DUSPA Meeting

Here is USA’s summary of the December 3 DUSPA meeting:

TIFIA/RRIF Report and Update – Claude Pumilia/Chad Fuller/Alex Brown

Meeting with DOT: Formally presented capital structure of project and began formal negotiations on the loan. It was a productive meeting and the DOT was very complimentary on the quality of the presentation, on the investment grade rating that the project has now attained and the credit enhancement by the City of Denver with its moral obligation piece.

Process and Schedule Going Forward: The package now goes to the credit committee for review. All parties are hopeful for a quick review and closing as soon after the New Year as possible.

Owner’s Representative’s Report

Organizational Budget: There is $650,000 remaining in the original $3M organizational budget.

Construction Schedule: The contractor continues to prepare for mobilization over the next two months in preparation for a full notice to proceed based on a loan closing.

Construction Design/Budget: The design portion of the design/build process continues with November being the most productive month to date in submission of design packages (11 submitted). The contractor is finalizing its study of the 100 year storm design requirements for the project and the results are looking far better than expected in that the scope will likely be scaled down. The budget for the original scope was in the neighborhood of $5M and its looking like that may be reduced to $1.5M. The Design Peer review process continues to be successful with acceptance of the recommendations on the LRT and Commuter Rail platform areas. These new designs are being integrated into the new design build package. Easement and ROW agreements are in the final stages of negotiation. The license agreements with Amtrak are also in final stages with 2 of the 3 agreements completed. The contractor continues to pothole the site to locate all utilities and their depths and also is training workers on how to handle discovery of any environmental contamination.

Design Issues Regarding Moving Walkways – Robin Kniech

Robin gave a thorough analysis of the moving walkways in the bus box to help the board understand the constraints as they move forward with a decision. RTD reminded the board that this decision is really RTD’s to make and they would not take it up until the next FasTracks Monitoring Committee meeting which is on the first Tuesday of the month… next one is January 5^th. The City of Denver would also like the council to have the opportunity to comment. Removal of the moving walkways could save the project up to $2M.

Public Outreach Report – Mario Carrera and Roger Sherman

Roger Sherman of CRL outlined the work completed by the PI team since the contract was signed on 11-17 as follows:

PI Plan drafted

DUS website updated to include all DUSPA meeting minutes and public presentations. Work on the website redo underway. They intend to complete and do a soft launch of a revised website. Once kinks are worked out… they will do a press release.

DUSPA logo has been created

They are coordinating with project management team

They are working with the Denver Post and Westword regarding press coverage with the intention of being proactive with media stories

They have secured a Spanish speaking outreach person

They have canvassed the immediate neighborhood within a three block radius of the site and have contacted 400 people and obtained contact info from 300. The response was overwhelmingly positive during the canvassing effort.

They continue to coordinate public meetings.

December 4 Denver Post Article

An article entitled “Moving walkways may be stripped from Union Station plan” is available at the following web address: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13922616

December 7, 2009 USA Roundtable

Because of the fast-moving design work and potential effects of locating the Welcome/Mizpah Arch, USA held an additional Roundtable with our members in December, including several prominent members of Denver’s community. Through a series of discussions, presentations, and Q&A, we established a preferred site for the Arch (for which funding is well underway). The Arch represents an exciting integration of history with the modern buildings and transit architecture and we feel the location of the Arch within the context of the new buildings is of utmost importance.

The desired location of the Arch was found to be along 17th Street at Wewatta (or slightly further west along the 17th Street axis). It is important that the Arch serve the same symbolical function which it historically served, which was a gateway to the station facility. As such, it seems appropriate that the Arch be placed on the east side of the intersection of 17th and Wewatta, inviting visitors and transit-users to the “great hall” of the new train shed from the new drop-off/pick-up, LRT station and bus facility. Because this location is over the bus facility, we hope the design team will spare no time in considering how this could affect the foundations and structure of the bus facility to allow the Arch to be placed in this location.

Note 1: In a Q&A session following the December 17, 2009 Public Meeting (See 2nd report below), Bill Mosher stated some concerns with the location recommended in the USA Roundtable. They were the structural issue described above, the proximity of the Wewatta canopy to the street, a 21’ height restriction on the west 17th Street view corridor, and a 25’ requirement for a fire lane south of the Wewatta canopy.

Note 2: USA would welcome your thoughts on this issue. Please send them to info@unionstationadvocates.org.

December 17, 2009 DUSPA Meeting

Public Comment: USA presented two letters to the DUSPA board and made comments summarizing them. One letter addressed future management and maintenance of the public spaces, and the other commented on design issues and made a suggestion as to the location of a replica of the Mizpah Arch. Please email USA for the full text of the letters.

TIFIA/RRIF Progress Report: A credit council meeting is expected to occur in January. Prior to that meeting, a working group is expected to convene during the week of the 11th to put final touches on the package that will be submitted to the Credit Council. There may be some site visits by TIFIA and RRIF. Both entities continue to be optimistic that the loans will be approved and closed sometime early in 2010.

Owner Rep’s Report: The owner rep reported that two issues are their primary focus at this time and that they are advancing the design of the site improvements and the Amtrak agreements for both the temporary station and relocation of the permanent station. At this point in the public portion of the meeting, the design team presented their progress. See report of this SOM presentation in the Public Meeting report below. At the end of the meeting it was announced that there will be a presentation to the planning board on January 20th of the site’s architectural and streetscape elements for its review and approval. The Public Information Plan and the Press Protocol Policy were both formally approved by DUSPA at the meeting too.

December 17, 2009 Public Meeting

The meeting was opened by Bill Mosher, DUSPA Owner Representative, and turned over to Kristopher Tacas of SOM. Kristopher stated that the transit architecture and infrastructure design is 70% complete and that 100% construction documents are scheduled for spring 2010. Regarding the public realm and landscape architecture, the design is 15% complete with 100% construction documents scheduled for December 2010.

Current activity on the Wynkoop Plaza includes coordinating with USNC on the wing buildings, and assessing the massing and circulation issues. Regarding the train shed, Kristopher mentioned that there would be vertical circulation to all tracks from the bus concourse. He also mentioned that the Peer Design Group had influenced the change in the support struts so they are now designed to be parallel to the tracks, not across the tracks.

The parking structure planned to be built over the tracks west of the Ice House is still being evaluated. There are 150 spaces for public parking that need to be accommodated for if the structure is not built.

There will be a 25’ wide Emergency Vehicle Access (EVA) right of way directly to the west of the historic station. The paving for this EVA will be the same as the Wynkoop Plaza, which is yet to be determined. There will be a 3-step edge between the EVA and the train platform. The canopy between the station and the train shed will be transparent with a beige tone.

The Kinetic Plaza has been replaced with a bridge that spans from the Wynkoop Plaza to 18th Street west of the tracks. There will be stairway and elevator access to the tracks from the bridge. Access to Wewatta Plaza will be considered when the building on Block B is designed.

The Wewatta Plaza is 160 feet square and will accommodate stair, elevator and escalator access to the bus station below. There will be an 8’ arcade on both sides of the Wewatta Plaza canopy. A 25’ fire lane is required on the south side of the canopy. The plan is for active retail on both the north and south sides of the canopy. There is a 21’ height restriction along the west 17th Street corridor, which may preclude putting a replica of the Mizpah Arch in that location.

The 17th Street Gardens will be characterized by a series of “rooms” that work with the tectonics of the skylights. Game rooms, a water room, activity areas and seasonal garden areas with extensive seating walls are planned for this walkway.

The Light Rail Terminal will have three canopies, one along the LR tracks, one to the north of the terminal and one to the south which will include the waiting area for a shuttle stop.

The bus station is 60% designed. Its overall length is 980’, with the public concourse being 783’. It is 44’ wide and is designed to have a ticketing area half way between Chestnut and Wewatta. It is sized for the passenger capacity load projected for 2030. In comparison, the current RTD Market Street Station is 52’ wide, 366’ overall in length, with the public concourse being 290’.

A major design change is the proposal to remove the moving sidewalks, also known as “travelators”. They are currently designed to be 3’ 4” wide (single file), one in each direction, and are 73’ 9” and 142’6” in length. Together they will take out 11’ of the 44’ concourse width. Another 10’ of clear passage further reduces the pedestrian area. Without the travelators, there will be 16’ 2” of clear passage and more room for disembarking passengers and seating.

The bus station will include glass mosaic tile, terrazzo floors, light scoop below the skylights and both digital and fixed signage.

It is projected that 5% of the LRT passengers will use the bus station, with less than that traversing the concourse to the train shed and station. It is projected that 80 to 90% of people in the bus box will be there for bus transit purposes.

Another change of plans for the bus station is the addition of a layover lane for RTD buses. According to Bill Mosher, this change was precipitated by the fact that staging buses on city streets is not welcome by residents and businesses.

The meeting ended with questions from the attendees.

Membership Renewal Time!

For those of you that joined Union Station Advocates in 2008 it is now time to renew your membership! Please go to the USA membership webpage and renew today: http://www.unionstationadvocates.org/membership.html

Thank you for your continued support!

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. The Roundtable committee is currently identifying agenda topics for the Roundtable meetings in 2010. 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

For a PDF of this monthly news update, please click here.