Downtown Denver Facts & Info The Democratic National Convention will take place in the vibrant urban setting of Downtown Denver. Learn all about it here.

Submitted by the Downtown Denver Partnership

Planning/Development in Downtown Denver

There are 62,000 residents living within a bustling 1.5 mile radius from the center of an increasingly lively Downtown Denver. In addition to the resident population, Downtown Denver has 110,000 Downtown employees (estimate based on the Occupancy Privilege Tax).

Residential development is booming and increasing numbers of people are looking to move into the Center City in order to access the diverse Downtown amenities. Over 6,900 housing units are currently planned or under construction and in 2006 alone, 2,070 new housing units were completed (including student beds). According to the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, by the year 2030 Downtown Denver will house approximately 25,000 more Downtown residents and offer 35,000 more jobs.

Much like the residential market, the hotel and office markets are thriving Downtown. Eight hotel projects are currently planned or under construction which will add over 1,700 hotel rooms to the existing 7,768 and over 200 condos. Two hotels - the Hilton Garden Inn and The Curtis - were recently completed, adding over 560 rooms. Much like the hotel market, the office market is active in Denver and 10 projects are currently under construction or planned that will add over 2.5 million square feet. The Central Business District (CBD) had a record setting year in 2006 with over one million square feet of absorption (reflects the net change in occupied space). This was more than four times the total absorption in 2005 and a record high since the mid 1980’s. The residential market has plans to grow exponentially with 83 projects currently planned or under construction that will add over 6,900 sale and rental units.

General Stats

Downtown Denver is the hub of the regions transportation network. Interstates, highways, light rail, bus and bicycle routes converge in Downtown to provide seamless multi-modal access for commuters and visitors alike. More than 62,000 people utilize the light rail system daily on weekdays and 63,000 people ride the free 16th Street Mall Shuttle every weekday. The 35 miles of light rail service include 10 stations in Downtown Denver, 19 free park-n-ride lots, and 36 stations overall. In November 2004, voters approved the $4.7 billion FasTracks plan to build and extend nine transit corridors over 12 years with a hub at Union Station. The most ambitious transit build-out in the country, FasTracks will add 137 miles of light rail, commuter rail and bus rapid transit, 21,000 parking spaces, and expanded bus service to the existing system.

Many public transit users come into Downtown Denver to attend major sports event. Three sports arenas – Coors Field, Pepsi Center, and INVESCO Field at Mile High Stadium – are located Downtown and were all built within the last 12 years. Combined, the three venues seat over 147,000, house seven professional sports teams and represent more than $790,000,000 in investments. In addition to the major sports venues, Downtown Denver is experiencing a cultural renaissance with the recent addition of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House to the Denver Performing Arts Complex (2005), the recent expansion of the Denver Art Museum (2006) and the upcoming openings of the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art (2007) and the Clyfford Still Museum (2009). Downtown visitors can choose from over 300 restaurants and bars before or after visiting the many cultural and sports venues.

2007 Downtown Area Plan

The Downtown Denver Partnership and Denver Civic Ventures worked in partnership with the City and County of Denver to produce the 2007 Denver Downtown Area Plan. The Plan reflects the community vision for a livable, healthy, economically vibrant and exciting Downtown. Based on solid research and analysis, the 2007 Downtown Area Plan provides an updated vision, goals and recommendations to replace the 1986 Downtown Area Plan. By building upon Downtown’s existing natural, cultural, social and physical assets, the Plan provides a foundation for strategic actions that will shape Downtown’s future development, enhance connections to surrounding neighborhoods and strengthen Downtown’s role as the heart of the region.

After an 18-month public process involving over 2,000 people, the 2007 Downtown Area Plan was adopted by City Council in July of 2007. An implementation committee of stakeholders, called the 2027 Committee, will be formed to focus on implementation steps for the Plan over the next 20 years. Both public and private agencies will use the 2007 Downtown Area Plan as a benchmark for decisions that affect the form and function of Downtown, providing a sound policy basis for citywide decision-making.

For more information, we invite you to visit the Downtown Area Plan website, www.DowntownDenverPlan.org.

14th Street Initiative

The 14th Street Initiative is an effort by the Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP) and the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District (BID) to build upon private investment on 14th Street to create a “Cultural Spine” linking LoDo (Lower Downtown), Larimer Square, the Denver Performing Arts Complex, and the Colorado Convention Center with the Civic Center Complex and the Denver Art Museum.

By the end of 2008, investment in new development on 14th Street will total more than $1.67 billion. This investment includes significant developments such as Four Seasons Hotel & Residences (235 rooms, 102 condos) and the Spire (503 for-sale units). The DDP and the BID look forward to building upon these private investments -  additionally improving the streetscape and other design elements - to create a significant cultural gateway into Downtown. The plan envisions 14th Street as Downtown's "cultural spine," serving as both a major gateway to Downtown for vehicular traffic and a thriving pedestrian promenade.

Visit the following link for more information: http://www.downtowndenver.com/Economic/EDDevelopment.htm

Denver Theatre District

The Denver Theatre District (DTD) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization associated with the Downtown Denver Partnership. Designed to enhance Denver through public art investment and city and regional promotions, the DTD will operate an entertainment destination. Local, regional and national companies will support and promote the district through lively events, cultural promotions and enhanced lighting and unique signage. The DTD extends from the 16th Street Mall and Arapahoe Street to Speer Boulevard; Speer Boulevard to Welton Street; Welton Street to 14th Street; 14th Street to Champa Street; Champa Street to the 16th Street Mall. DTD will be managed by a Board comprised of representatives from the City and County of Denver Department of Cultural Affairs or Office of Economic Development, Theatres and Arenas, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau and private land owners in the rezoned area.

To see a video on the Denver Theatre District, go to www.FridaysinthePark.com. Note that this is a 10.5+ MB file and may take a few minutes to load before starting.

Useful Web Resources:

ExperienceDowntownDenver

For an interactive, online guide to Downtown Denver’s amenities, parking, cultural venues and restaurants and bars, go to www.ExperienceDowntownDenver.com.

DowntownDenver.com

For information on everything from development and planning, to policy and events, visit the number one source for Downtown Denver information: www.DowntownDenver.com

LiveDowntownDenver

This web site provides you with information on Downtown Denver’s housing market, including neighborhood profiles, blogs by the “urban enthusiast”, and a searchable database of for sale and for rent apartments and condos. www.LiveDowntownDenver.com.