Comments on: More on the 15th and Stout Project http://denverinfill.com/blog/2008/05/more-on-15-stout-project.html News, ideas, and commentary about urbanism in the Mile High City Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:05:34 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Dan Lewis http://denverinfill.com/blog/2008/05/more-on-15-stout-project.html/comment-page-1#comment-1665 Dan Lewis Mon, 26 May 2008 00:21:00 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2008/05/more-on-the-15-stout-project.html#comment-1665 I'm sitting in Leela's typing this right now - and I'd be pretty pissed off and if the developer demolished the place. Yeah, Tarantula makes this whole block pretty much unsafe after midnight and diminishes Leela's as a rare 24/7 spot to hang in the city. I know nothing about the asbestos problems with the building, but surely 15th can't possibly afford to lose ANOTHER historic building. It's been gutted as it is. I'm sitting in Leela's typing this right now – and I'd be pretty pissed off and if the developer demolished the place. Yeah, Tarantula makes this whole block pretty much unsafe after midnight and diminishes Leela's as a rare 24/7 spot to hang in the city. I know nothing about the asbestos problems with the building, but surely 15th can't possibly afford to lose ANOTHER historic building. It's been gutted as it is.

]]> By: Anonymous http://denverinfill.com/blog/2008/05/more-on-15-stout-project.html/comment-page-1#comment-1609 Anonymous Wed, 21 May 2008 16:17:00 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2008/05/more-on-the-15-stout-project.html#comment-1609 I doubt that tarantulla has any historic value either. I doubt that tarantulla has any historic value either.

]]> By: Anonymous http://denverinfill.com/blog/2008/05/more-on-15-stout-project.html/comment-page-1#comment-1598 Anonymous Tue, 20 May 2008 02:24:00 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2008/05/more-on-the-15-stout-project.html#comment-1598 I used to frequent 15th St Tavern and Duffees (Greg and Johnny at Duffees were the two greatest bartenders ever - stern smartass's, but with hearts of gold...and I once had a conversation there with Bill Murray, who loved the "real" atmosphere there compared to what he found at the Brown Pallace accross the street).<br /><br />But Tarantula? Have any of you ever been in Tarantula? Nothing but riff raff. The one time I went in there, people were going through the place, interupting pool games to beg for change. A man selling knives came up to us and opened up his trenchcoat to show us his selection. A display of dozens of knives of many shapes and sizes was dangling from the inside of his coat - just like in a cheezy movie. I couldn't believe it! It HAS to be illegal to cary around that many knives....<br /><br />Anyway, we ditched the place after the second brawl broke out. I remember walking out of there thinking, "someone should shut that place down" as I switched my wallet back to the back pocket from the front pocket I put it in as soon as I got a look at Tarantula's clientelle.<br /><br />Now I'm not saying anyone should tear the building down; I'm just saying that unlike Duffy's and 15th St Tavern (I saw many a good show at 15th and played a few too) Tarantula Billiards has no cultural value what-so-ever. It can only improve Denver when that riff raff magnet is shut down. I used to frequent 15th St Tavern and Duffees (Greg and Johnny at Duffees were the two greatest bartenders ever – stern smartass's, but with hearts of gold…and I once had a conversation there with Bill Murray, who loved the "real" atmosphere there compared to what he found at the Brown Pallace accross the street).

But Tarantula? Have any of you ever been in Tarantula? Nothing but riff raff. The one time I went in there, people were going through the place, interupting pool games to beg for change. A man selling knives came up to us and opened up his trenchcoat to show us his selection. A display of dozens of knives of many shapes and sizes was dangling from the inside of his coat – just like in a cheezy movie. I couldn't believe it! It HAS to be illegal to cary around that many knives….

Anyway, we ditched the place after the second brawl broke out. I remember walking out of there thinking, "someone should shut that place down" as I switched my wallet back to the back pocket from the front pocket I put it in as soon as I got a look at Tarantula's clientelle.

Now I'm not saying anyone should tear the building down; I'm just saying that unlike Duffy's and 15th St Tavern (I saw many a good show at 15th and played a few too) Tarantula Billiards has no cultural value what-so-ever. It can only improve Denver when that riff raff magnet is shut down.

]]> By: Anonymous http://denverinfill.com/blog/2008/05/more-on-15-stout-project.html/comment-page-1#comment-1579 Anonymous Sat, 17 May 2008 20:43:00 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2008/05/more-on-the-15-stout-project.html#comment-1579 I am with anon. 3:45. I am not for demolishing buildings when we have plenty of surface parking lots in that section of downtown to develop first. Get rid of those parking lots and some developer will eventually offer a lot of money to those less "desirable" places like La Bo and the Pawn Shop to move somewhere else. I am with anon. 3:45. I am not for demolishing buildings when we have plenty of surface parking lots in that section of downtown to develop first. Get rid of those parking lots and some developer will eventually offer a lot of money to those less "desirable" places like La Bo and the Pawn Shop to move somewhere else.

]]> By: Anonymous http://denverinfill.com/blog/2008/05/more-on-15-stout-project.html/comment-page-1#comment-1577 Anonymous Fri, 16 May 2008 21:45:00 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2008/05/more-on-the-15-stout-project.html#comment-1577 I do not see the need to demolish the Tarantula Billiards building at least until we reach the point when the numerous parking lots on 14th and 15th are redeveloped. I would love to see the pawn shop further down on 15th demolished. People complain that La Boheme is unappealing, the pawn shop makes 15th really look ghetto. The La Boheme building itself is nice and should never be torn down no matter what it is used for. I think it was a shame that the most historically significant and attractive old building on that block was destroyed. I am taking about the Davis and Shaw building that was where the Spire is now going up. It would have been nice if they built the Spire completely along 14th Street or something and saved the Davis and Shaw. I do not see the need to demolish the Tarantula Billiards building at least until we reach the point when the numerous parking lots on 14th and 15th are redeveloped. I would love to see the pawn shop further down on 15th demolished. People complain that La Boheme is unappealing, the pawn shop makes 15th really look ghetto. The La Boheme building itself is nice and should never be torn down no matter what it is used for. I think it was a shame that the most historically significant and attractive old building on that block was destroyed. I am taking about the Davis and Shaw building that was where the Spire is now going up. It would have been nice if they built the Spire completely along 14th Street or something and saved the Davis and Shaw.

]]> By: Anonymous http://denverinfill.com/blog/2008/05/more-on-15-stout-project.html/comment-page-1#comment-1576 Anonymous Fri, 16 May 2008 21:23:00 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2008/05/more-on-the-15-stout-project.html#comment-1576 I like Tarantula Billiards, but that bit on asbestos; yikes!<br /><br />Maybe they could share the ground floor of a possible new building in the future? ;) I like Tarantula Billiards, but that bit on asbestos; yikes!

Maybe they could share the ground floor of a possible new building in the future? ;)

]]> By: RTD Watch http://denverinfill.com/blog/2008/05/more-on-15-stout-project.html/comment-page-1#comment-1575 RTD Watch Fri, 16 May 2008 20:59:00 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2008/05/more-on-the-15-stout-project.html#comment-1575 Even if the building has some problems, the solution shouldn't automatically be bulldoze and build something else. It's a great little historic building on a street that has lost many in the last few decades and we need to preserve that heritage or it goes the way of Duffy's and many other historic properties throughout downtown. Even if the building has some problems, the solution shouldn't automatically be bulldoze and build something else. It's a great little historic building on a street that has lost many in the last few decades and we need to preserve that heritage or it goes the way of Duffy's and many other historic properties throughout downtown.

]]> By: Anonymous http://denverinfill.com/blog/2008/05/more-on-15-stout-project.html/comment-page-1#comment-1574 Anonymous Fri, 16 May 2008 20:08:00 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2008/05/more-on-the-15-stout-project.html#comment-1574 Bad shape or not, some low rise buildings with affordable rents and established tenants are always a good thing. I am optimistic concerning Makovsky's plans, but the 15th street tavern was part of Denver's greatness, as are Tarantula's and Leela's. Shag lounge may some day be a favorite as well, but according to this blog they may never get the chance. With so many empty blocks, tearing down the funky or wacky little buildings for speculation seems short sighted. I understand those empty blocks aren't always owned by the developing parties, and the issue is complex, but as a downtown resident that does not own a million dollar condo, I would like to see some of the small stuff, the nightlife, the coffee shops left behind so I don't have to eat at fancy restaurants and dance at snooty clubs every night. Just some nights. Bad shape or not, some low rise buildings with affordable rents and established tenants are always a good thing. I am optimistic concerning Makovsky's plans, but the 15th street tavern was part of Denver's greatness, as are Tarantula's and Leela's. Shag lounge may some day be a favorite as well, but according to this blog they may never get the chance. With so many empty blocks, tearing down the funky or wacky little buildings for speculation seems short sighted. I understand those empty blocks aren't always owned by the developing parties, and the issue is complex, but as a downtown resident that does not own a million dollar condo, I would like to see some of the small stuff, the nightlife, the coffee shops left behind so I don't have to eat at fancy restaurants and dance at snooty clubs every night. Just some nights.

]]> By: Anonymous http://denverinfill.com/blog/2008/05/more-on-15-stout-project.html/comment-page-1#comment-1573 Anonymous Fri, 16 May 2008 15:33:00 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2008/05/more-on-the-15-stout-project.html#comment-1573 Tarantula is in bad shape. I knew someone who worked at the coffee shop there and they were constantly having to shut down due to a variety of problems with the foundation or asbestos Tarantula is in bad shape. I knew someone who worked at the coffee shop there and they were constantly having to shut down due to a variety of problems with the foundation or asbestos

]]> By: binford http://denverinfill.com/blog/2008/05/more-on-15-stout-project.html/comment-page-1#comment-1571 binford Fri, 16 May 2008 14:30:00 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2008/05/more-on-the-15-stout-project.html#comment-1571 I don't see why he even mentioned his plans to bulldoze the tarantula building, seeing as how they're so speculative at this point. <br /><br />Overall, the developer seems a little naieve to me, but at least he seems like he has plenty of equity and is willing to hire a development team that knows what it's doing. I don't see why he even mentioned his plans to bulldoze the tarantula building, seeing as how they're so speculative at this point.

Overall, the developer seems a little naieve to me, but at least he seems like he has plenty of equity and is willing to hire a development team that knows what it's doing.

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