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The Business of Urbanism: West Line Edition

Posted by  on April 28, 2013

By Ian Harwick

If you build it, will they come?

I am going to highlight one particular Denver neighborhood along RTD’s new W Line that I think will be an interesting barometer of economic development with regards to TOD (transit-oriented development) and low-income neighborhoods.

I chose Villa Park to highlight as this is an interesting neighborhood because it has all the things that developers, businesses and future residents look for in new places to live or invest. Within a few blocks of the Knox and Perry light rail stations are spaces for expanded retail, nice parks and greenways, a bike path, and plenty of housing stock costing well below the local average.

 

This is a neighborhood that has been fairly neglected for the past 50 years; it has all the makings for one of Denver’s next up and coming neighborhoods. The question is: who will start the trend of buying in this neighborhood? Will it be a developer taking an old building and crafting a new mixed use development? Will it be smaller developers taking old housing stock and bringing it into the 21st century? Or, will the neighborhood continue to be an underutilized gem just outside of downtown?

 

I personally think this neighborhood will become an increasingly vital part of Denver’s unique neighborhood fabric and I look forward to seeing the way that it develops.

For more information about the neighborhood check out: http://www.zillow.com/homes/Villa-Park-Denver-CO_rb/

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Ian Harwick is a Denver native and serial entrepreneur who’s been building businesses for twenty years and helping others do the same for the past five years.  Currently, Ian runs Harwick Consulting, working with businesses of all sizes—although he has a special spot in his heart for mom and pop shops—and utilizing his abilities to connect objects, ideas and people and organize them in a way that fosters creativity and collaboration. Ian is also co-founder of CityCycle, a mobile app for smart phones that changes the way cyclists interact with Denver’s bicycle infrastructure and the community that it supports. In his spare time, you can find Ian writing a book on community building, drinking coffee at a non-chain establishment, or building something new in his home.

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Filed under Entrepreneurship, Parks & Public Spaces, Revitalization, Transit, Transit-Oriented Development.
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The Business of Urbanism: Battery 621

Posted by  on April 13, 2013

By Ian Harwick

Let’s take a look at evidence of investment and entrepreneurs changing the face of Denver: Recharging the sports community with Battery Power.

At the corner of 6th and Kalamath stands not just a building, but a catalyst for community. In a structure that had been vacant for years prior now stands a home for twelve different, innovative companies. This incubator of sorts has added personality, people, and long-term community investment.  Battery 621 has been here for three years now and as one can see from the photo (below) they are investing further into their space. As I toured this creative space, I found myself immersed in a new brand of business; one bursting with energy, community, fun, and the feeling that something awesome was around every corner.

Photo is Battery 621 and the build-out of their new rooftop deck.

The companies within the building have a focus on alternative sports and the accompanying infrastructure. Companies range from ski and snowboard companies, a staffing agency (bwbacon, my host for the afternoon) and a company dedicated to telling the stories of small businesses throughout Colorado, among many others.

These diverse companies all share the desire to create, innovate and invest in their surroundings and their community. The goal of the building owners was to take a prominent corner of Denver from something of shame to a place that inspires creative spirit.

In my opinion, they have done just that and more; they have taken a building and created a place to build, create and experience a deeper, richer Denver.

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Ian Harwick is a Denver native and serial entrepreneur who’s been building businesses for twenty years and helping others do the same for the past five years.  Currently, Ian runs Harwick Consulting, working with businesses of all sizes—although he has a special spot in his heart for mom and pop shops—and utilizing his abilities to connect objects, ideas and people and organize them in a way that fosters creativity and collaboration. Ian is also co-founder of CityCycle, a mobile app for smart phones that changes the way cyclists interact with Denver’s bicycle infrastructure and the community that it supports. In his spare time, you can find Ian writing a book on community building, drinking coffee at a non-chain establishment, or building something new in his home.

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Filed under Adaptive Reuse, Entrepreneurship, Revitalization.
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Adaptive Reuse: Colorado National Bank Hotel Conversion Update #3

Posted by  on April 7, 2013

Today we are going to look at the conversion progress over at the Colorado National Bank building. To refresh you, this is a historic bank building being converted to a hotel with the addition of 3 floors.

Here you can see the steel structure for the three floors that are being added as well as the extended core. Also, exterior restoration has commenced on the rear and alley side of the building.

 

 

Did you know that this is the second time floors have been added to the Colorado National Bank building? Let’s look at some pictures thanks to the Denver History Tours Blog! On the left is the original construction circa 1915. On the right is the construction of the additional floors circa 1925. Pretty neat!

 

This building has been through quite a lot and it’s great seeing it brought back to life with a whole new purpose!

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Filed under Adaptive Reuse, Revitalization.
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Coming May 2013: Better Block Five Points!

Posted by  on March 18, 2013

Remember the successful Better Block Jefferson Park? Get ready for the 2013 version… this time in Denver’s historic Five Points district!

Here are the details, courtesy of WalkDenver:

Save the date! Denver’s second Better Block is on May 11, 2013, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM in Sonny Lawson Park in Five Points.

The Better Block project is a community revitalization effort that temporarily demonstrates how to improve a public space with pedestrian and public infrastructure mixed with art, culture, pop-up businesses and street life. For one day, the project will install pedestrian improvements, create seating areas, provide landscaping and street furniture, incorporate art into the public space, provide live music, and more. Better Block aims to create quick, inexpensive, high-impact changes that lead to permanent solutions for areas in Denver.

Building on the 2012 success of Better Block Jefferson Park, WalkDenver along with community partners, is working on the 2013 demonstration. The target area for this project is 24th Street between Stout and Welton Streets in the historic African-American community of Five Points. While designated as a Pedestrian Corridor in the North East Downtown Area Plan, 24th Street and adjacent historical Sonny Lawson Park have been neglected and present conditions are substandard and unsafe. Better Block project will aim at low-cost improvements to the quality of the built environment that will result in an inviting and vibrant public space essential to the social and economic health of the community.

For sponsorship information contact Gosia at: gkung@kungarch.com

To volunteer contact James at: james@streetscapes.biz

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Filed under General Urbanism, Revitalization, Sustainability.
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Adaptive Reuse: Colorado National Bank Hotel Conversion Update #2

Posted by  on February 2, 2013

Back in December, I wrote a post saying that the Colorado National Bank Hotel conversion at 17th and Champa had begun construction. Since then, construction has been in full swing. It’s always an interesting sight to see additional floors being added to an existing structure.

A hoist elevator has been constructed and work has begun on adding floors to the core. As a reminder, they will be adding two additional floors to the structure in a sort-of square doughnut shape so light can shine down through all but the first three floors.

 

It’s excellent seeing progress on this project! This will eventually add a great presence, not to mention an additional 230 hotel rooms, to an intersection that’s already hustling and bustling in central downtown.

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Filed under Adaptive Reuse, Historic Preservation, Revitalization.
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