Comments on: Alexan Prospect Update http://denverinfill.com/blog/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html News, ideas, and commentary about urbanism in the Mile High City Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:04:13 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Anonymous http://denverinfill.com/blog/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html/comment-page-1#comment-4283 Anonymous Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:12:08 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html#comment-4283 I rode my bike to this area this weekend to check things out. First, Alexan looks quite a bit more interesting than the buildings closer to Coors field / bar / BNSF bldg. <br /><br />I was cruising around and was in the Watertower (I think that's the name) parking lot when someone called for help... said he locked himself out on his 2nd story patio. Said he was going to jump onto a tree to break his landing and for me to call for help if it didn't go as planned. Next thing I know dude is airborne, branches breaking, and then he's bear hugging the tree. All went as planned, except for the tree. I rode my bike to this area this weekend to check things out. First, Alexan looks quite a bit more interesting than the buildings closer to Coors field / bar / BNSF bldg.

I was cruising around and was in the Watertower (I think that's the name) parking lot when someone called for help… said he locked himself out on his 2nd story patio. Said he was going to jump onto a tree to break his landing and for me to call for help if it didn't go as planned. Next thing I know dude is airborne, branches breaking, and then he's bear hugging the tree. All went as planned, except for the tree.

]]> By: Anonymous http://denverinfill.com/blog/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html/comment-page-1#comment-4280 Anonymous Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:23:44 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html#comment-4280 I think that better pedestrian access to downtown will be taken care of once the Union Station Neighborhood is developed. Right now Prospect does feel quite isolated, but once Chestnut is opened to auto and pedestrian traffic and Union Station is developed, all you'll have to do is cross 20th to be right in the heart of the CPV. If the King Soopers at the corner of 20th and Chestnut is ever built that would be even better!<br /><br />A pedestrian bridge over the train tracks and the Rockies' player's lot connecting to LoDo would also do wonders for the pedestrian connectivity of Prospect. I think that better pedestrian access to downtown will be taken care of once the Union Station Neighborhood is developed. Right now Prospect does feel quite isolated, but once Chestnut is opened to auto and pedestrian traffic and Union Station is developed, all you'll have to do is cross 20th to be right in the heart of the CPV. If the King Soopers at the corner of 20th and Chestnut is ever built that would be even better!

A pedestrian bridge over the train tracks and the Rockies' player's lot connecting to LoDo would also do wonders for the pedestrian connectivity of Prospect.

]]> By: Allen http://denverinfill.com/blog/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html/comment-page-1#comment-4278 Allen Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:04:54 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html#comment-4278 As nice as the re-routing of trains would be it's unlikely to occur any time during the next few decades. The proposed 200 mile Front Range tollroad looks to be dead now. And at that, it's not clear how traffic coming from the west via Moffat tunnel wouldn't still be routed south over the joint line (and thus running through downtown Denver). <br /><br />To get rid of those trains, there would need to be some sort of routing around downtown, likely something new far east of town, and there's nothing in the cards right now for that. The other part would probably be the re-opening of UP's line over Tennessee Pass. There are no plans for that right now. So it too would appear to be at least a few decades away.<br /><br />It's a wonderful idea for downtown. It would free those tracks up for transit and/or trails. But if I were a betting man, I'd put a Franklin on "not in our lifetime". As nice as the re-routing of trains would be it's unlikely to occur any time during the next few decades. The proposed 200 mile Front Range tollroad looks to be dead now. And at that, it's not clear how traffic coming from the west via Moffat tunnel wouldn't still be routed south over the joint line (and thus running through downtown Denver).

To get rid of those trains, there would need to be some sort of routing around downtown, likely something new far east of town, and there's nothing in the cards right now for that. The other part would probably be the re-opening of UP's line over Tennessee Pass. There are no plans for that right now. So it too would appear to be at least a few decades away.

It's a wonderful idea for downtown. It would free those tracks up for transit and/or trails. But if I were a betting man, I'd put a Franklin on "not in our lifetime".

]]> By: Anonymous http://denverinfill.com/blog/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html/comment-page-1#comment-4277 Anonymous Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:12:05 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html#comment-4277 For those thinking this area could support meaningful retail and restaurants, you're a bit delusional. What owner would want to invest their money into a business that sits isolated from auto and walk-by traffic..? It would fold in no time. Sure, there are several hundred people who live nearby, but for a business to be successful, you need several thousands who are likely to patronize your business. The best this area can hope for is very small service shops and some office space. But that’s not a bad thing – in fact this area might flourish (meaning appreciate) due to its close proximity to the developing Union Station – which will obviously see the bulk of the investment in the area. It might even become more valuable if they can someday re-route all the coal trains around the city and therefore eliminate the blaring horns in the middle of the night. Also, getting an efficient pedestrian access to the rest of the city would help as well.<br /><br />In the meantime, I’m more curious as to what is eventually going to happen to the several old warehouse buildings in the area that are currently sitting empty. Aren’t these prime for redevelopment? For those thinking this area could support meaningful retail and restaurants, you're a bit delusional. What owner would want to invest their money into a business that sits isolated from auto and walk-by traffic..? It would fold in no time. Sure, there are several hundred people who live nearby, but for a business to be successful, you need several thousands who are likely to patronize your business. The best this area can hope for is very small service shops and some office space. But that’s not a bad thing – in fact this area might flourish (meaning appreciate) due to its close proximity to the developing Union Station – which will obviously see the bulk of the investment in the area. It might even become more valuable if they can someday re-route all the coal trains around the city and therefore eliminate the blaring horns in the middle of the night. Also, getting an efficient pedestrian access to the rest of the city would help as well.

In the meantime, I’m more curious as to what is eventually going to happen to the several old warehouse buildings in the area that are currently sitting empty. Aren’t these prime for redevelopment?

]]> By: Anonymous http://denverinfill.com/blog/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html/comment-page-1#comment-4276 Anonymous Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:05:56 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html#comment-4276 Thanks Ed and Anon 12:21,<br /><br />Let's hopee this area gets some retail traffic with the completion of the Alexan.<br /><br /> - Michael Thanks Ed and Anon 12:21,

Let's hopee this area gets some retail traffic with the completion of the Alexan.

– Michael

]]> By: alanw http://denverinfill.com/blog/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html/comment-page-1#comment-4275 alanw Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:46:31 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html#comment-4275 It's true most of the rental apartment buildings built in the past 8 years look very similar: a massive mediocre looking box of brick and stucco.<br /><br />This building went up in no time. That neighborhood is rather odd, as Coors Field, 20th Street and the train tracks seems to form a barrier to the city. It is like a suburban enclave more than urbanism. That area needs some neighborhood retailers and restaurants like what Uptown has. It's true most of the rental apartment buildings built in the past 8 years look very similar: a massive mediocre looking box of brick and stucco.

This building went up in no time. That neighborhood is rather odd, as Coors Field, 20th Street and the train tracks seems to form a barrier to the city. It is like a suburban enclave more than urbanism. That area needs some neighborhood retailers and restaurants like what Uptown has.

]]> By: Anonymous http://denverinfill.com/blog/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html/comment-page-1#comment-4274 Anonymous Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:28:38 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html#comment-4274 Retailers in Denver are terrible?? What does this mean and what does it have to do with the looks of every neighborhood?? Retailers in Denver are terrible?? What does this mean and what does it have to do with the looks of every neighborhood??

]]> By: Anonymous http://denverinfill.com/blog/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html/comment-page-1#comment-4273 Anonymous Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:06:11 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html#comment-4273 Henry Ford perfected this: Sameness..stamped out..production line..sameness..the masses will love it...no thought..take the money and run..sameness...trendy today never think tomorrow..sameness...<br />utilitarian...could be anywhere...<br /><br />How much of this crap are people willing to take? Flat top skyscrapers with toothpicks, and tons of this thoughtless BS.. show me some quality and vision Denver. Where are the visionaries in this town?? Henry Ford perfected this: Sameness..stamped out..production line..sameness..the masses will love it…no thought..take the money and run..sameness…trendy today never think tomorrow..sameness…
utilitarian…could be anywhere…

How much of this crap are people willing to take? Flat top skyscrapers with toothpicks, and tons of this thoughtless BS.. show me some quality and vision Denver. Where are the visionaries in this town??

]]> By: Mars Sunshine http://denverinfill.com/blog/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html/comment-page-1#comment-4271 Mars Sunshine Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:45:32 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html#comment-4271 Retailers in Denver are terrible. Thats why every neighborhood looks the same. Retailers in Denver are terrible. Thats why every neighborhood looks the same.

]]> By: Anonymous http://denverinfill.com/blog/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html/comment-page-1#comment-4268 Anonymous Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:21:02 +0000 http://denverinfill.com/wordpress/2009/10/alexan-prospect-update.html#comment-4268 The old coffee shop space has been for sale for 2 years and is currently in foreclosure. This will be a great business opportunity when all of these apartments are rented out and the "Prospect" area lofts and townhomes are all finally sold out. I can't wait to see this area thrive. It's much more affordable than the River Front Park area across 20th St. The old coffee shop space has been for sale for 2 years and is currently in foreclosure. This will be a great business opportunity when all of these apartments are rented out and the "Prospect" area lofts and townhomes are all finally sold out. I can't wait to see this area thrive. It's much more affordable than the River Front Park area across 20th St.

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