RiNo Neighborhood

The RiNo Neighborhood and surrounding areas are growing and changing at a very rapid pace. There are currently six North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative (NDCC) projects in various phases in and around the RiNo Neighborhood in Denver. With so much going on, here is a quick update to bring you up to speed.

The Denver Planning Board has approved the final draft of the 38th and Blake rail station height amendment. This amendment is geared toward increasing the height restrictions around the commuter rail station. The increase in zoning height is a result of promoting transit-oriented development in and around the rail station...More	A new bike lane and 2-way traffic are coming to Blake street between Broadway and 35th Avenue.
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Denver's community planning and development departments are considering zoning changes to the area surrounding the 38th and Blake commuter transit stop is RiNo. The impetus for the discussion is to create higher density and promote transit-oriented development in close proximity to the transit stop.

The planning process has been centered around how the transit stop will influence the area. Specifically, how pedestrians are going to move through the area, the quality of life for residents and a desire to retain the character of the neighborhood.

Proposed zoning changes will increase the current height restrictions of, primarily 3 stories to a mix of 16, 12, 8, 5 and 3 story zones. The tallest buildings with the greatest density will be centered at the transit stop at 38th and Blake Street. Appropriate height transitioning will be established from the transit stop to existing residential areas. 

The desired qualities of the community vision/plan for the rezoned area call for a high degree of design quality. Specifically:

• Active, walkable and vibrant public domain
• Promenades and open space for a vibrant neighborhood
• Integration of the RiNo Arts District throughout the area
• Minimization of parking complication
• Quality pedestrian spaces such as plazas and gathering spaces
• Preservation of the existing historic character and fabric of the area
• Increased affordable housing

38^th & Blake Plan Amendments: Public Review Draft Map with June 9^th Revision

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The much anticipated East Corridor rail line (A-Line) has opened. Denver's Regional Transportation District (RTD) FasTracks initiative is changing the fabric of our great city. The energy in Downtown Denver is growing, thanks in large part to a transportation plan establishing Downtown Denver's Union Station as the hub.

If you examine the growth of larger metropolitan cities like Atlanta, San Diego and Washington DC you see a pattern of the impact well planned public transit has on a city. Daniel Chatman of the University of California at Berkeley and Robert Noland of Rutgers University produced a study, they think the hidden economic value of transit could be worth anywhere from $1.5 million to $1.8 billion a year, depending on the size of the city. That is significant and I feel that Denver is at the north end of that range. 

Denver still has 4 major lines and 1 minor (extension line) under construction and slated to open over the next 2 years. Those lines are the R-Line, B-Line, G-Line, N-LIne and Central Line Expansion. 

The R-Line or I-225 expansion line (opening 2016) is 10.5 miles and is the extension of the I-225 line from Parker road to the Peoria station. This expansion is a key line as it brings transit access to the Anschutz Medical Campus.

The B-Line or Northwest Rail line is a 41-mile transit line that stretches from Denver's Union Station to Longmont. This line will have stops in Westminster, Broomfield, Louisville and Boulder. The first 6.1 miles of the project...

The neighborhood plans for the Globeville and Elyria-Swansea are part of 6 major redevelopment and infrastructure projects taking place in North Denver. These 6 improvement initiatives are part of Mayor Hancock’s North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative (NDCC). These projects will have a significant impact on residential real estate values in north Denver.

North Denver projects include:

• Neighborhood Plans for Globeville and Elyria-Swansea
• National Western Center
• River North (RiNo) Development
• Interstate 70 Reconstruction
• Brighton Boulevard Redevelopment
• RTD Station Development

The neighborhood plans consist of 6 projects that dictate the land use, design and infrastructure improvements for these neighborhoods in north Denver. The key elements of the plan include community strength, connectivity, health and commitment to the core culture of each neighborhood.

Washington Street Improvement
Washington Street has been identified as a transformative project. Similar...

The Interstate 70 viaduct that stretches from Washington St. to Colorado Blvd. is failing and the Colorado Department of Transportation has been researching alternatives since 2006.

On March 2, 2016 the final public review period closed. CDOT has a finalized environmental impact study and preferred alternative to the existing viaduct. The finalized plan calls for I-70 to be completely overhauled from I-25 to I-225.

The purpose of this article is to focus on the viaduct section between Brighton Blvd and Colorado Blvd. This project will have a large impact on the neighborhoods along the construction corridor, thus presenting an interesting opportunity for investment.

The finalized plan removes the viaduct from Brighton Blvd to Colorado Blvd and rebuilds I-70 below grade along this segment. This segment will add 3 lanes of traffic each direction with the addition of a 4^th tolled express lane.

The most exciting part of this project is the new covered section of the segment that will stretch from Clayton to Columbine Street. This section is being referred to as Partial Cover Park and includes an urban landscape with the potential to include a park, playground, plaza and community garden.  

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Simply put you should care about this project because the National Western Center Plan creates a year-round destination that promotes out-of-state tourism. The new National Western Center will bring in $200 million a year in estimated economic impact. The National Western Center firmly plants Denver as a global player in 21st-century agricultural solutions. The National Western Center preserves Denver’s cultural heritage while telling the story of what the American West is today.

The National Western Center is 1 of 6 major redevelopment and infrastructure projects taking place in North Denver. These 6 improvement initiatives are part of Mayor Hancock’s North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative. These projects will have a significant impact on residential real estate values in north Denver.

North Denver projects include:

• Neighborhood Plans for Globeville and Elyria-Swansea
• National Western Center
• River North (RiNo) Development
• Interstate 70 Reconstruction
• Brighton Boulevard Redevelopment
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Brighton Boulevard Improvement Update

The Brighton Blvd improvement is part of Mayor Hancock’s, North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative (NDCC). This initiative is part of the Corridor of Opportunity that the mayor has identified that stretches from Union Station to DIA.

Brighton Blvd improvement project has been implemented to transform Brighton Blvd from an industrial thoroughfare into an inviting gateway to and from Downtown Denver.

The project is in phase 2 of the planning process. The project is intended to accommodate multi-modal transportation, which includes; pedestrians, bikes, vehicles and trucks. The emphasis of the planning phase has been on the following key categories:

• Safety – How do bikes and pedestrians interface with vehicles and trucks?
• Differentiate between Bicyclist and Pedestrians – Dedicated and protected bike lanes are desired.
• Sustainable streetscape – Street trees are highly desirable to reduce the heat impact of an urban environment and improve aesthetics.
• Arts district identify – Brighton Blvd serves as the spine of the River North (Rino) Neighborhood and as such should be reflective of the character of the neighborhood.
• Phased implementation – Improvement shall be completed in a block-by-block, property-by-property or character-area-by-character area fashion.

The project vision has been identified as:

• Include all modes of transportation while accommodating amenity zones, landscape elements and art.
• Phase 1 implementation within the existing right-of-way.
• Include an ultimate vision that allows for redevelopment to implement the final vision.

Brighton Blvd Improvement Flyover

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