Only 15 days until opening!!
The Decatur-Federal Station is the first station west of I-25 along the West Rail Line. Located just south of Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the station is an easy trek to the stadium by foot. There are also easy connections to the multiple bus routes running along both Federal and Colfax Avenues. The station will have 1,900 spaces (leased from the stadium district) when it opens at the end of the month – an unbelievably high number with the station being located so close to downtown.
Parking concerns aside, let’s take a look at the how station turned out. As some may remember, the last time we looked at the Decatur-Federal Station was January of last year – what a change!
The first thing most will notice is the large plaza just north of the platform which will obviously be VERY busy come game days this fall (assuming the Broncos don’t go the way of the Rockies or Avalanche). This station joins the Sports Authority Field at Mile High Station as the only two stations in RTD’s light rail network with turnstiles to control passengers crowds during crush boarding times.
The station features many of the same urban design elements we will see along the rest of the corridor.
As I mentioned earlier, there are easy connections west to both sides of Federal Boulevard, thanks to an underpass beneath the newly rebuilt Federal bridge, which we discussed a few years back once construction was beginning. The bridge was reconstructed with bus drop-off lanes on both sides of the bridge to better serve passengers and keep them out of harms way by removing a crossing at Federal and 13th. Also, the underpass beneath Federal has a slick mural by Jolt, a graffiti artist. The West Rail Line had no money for public art, but the City and County of Denver was able to secure funding from the Urban Arts Alliance for the mural. RTD worked closely with the Denver Division of Theatres and Arenas to work on installation of the mural.
As with other RTD light rail stations, bikes are welcome. This stations has 10 bike lockers as well bike racks.
The station, although nestled near a busy thoroughfare (as well as a lovely power plant), is one of the most scenic stations in RTD’s system.
For kicks, the last image I have to show you is of some (I believe) poorly placed grass. Any bets on how long this grass will last? I bet it’ll be trampled down pretty well come the end of the Broncos preseason. Yes, I get grass is cheap and looks fine (when it’s not dead), but come on…we couldn’t put in something else? Nothing against Broncos fans, but I don’t see this grass lasting long.
Next time, we will jump west and take a look at the Federal Center Station – one of the largest stations on the West Rail Line. Also, RTD has posted information about festivities for opening weekend – free rides the 26th and 27th with station parties the 27th!
Thanks for the update Ryan. Also, the City of Denver just finished a Station Area Plan for this station that can be seen here:
http://www.denvergov.org/decaturfederal
Impressive. That makes me want to move to Sun Valley.
Sun Valley can use all the help it can get. It is the poorest neighborhood not just in Denver but in the entire state of Colorado and since North Capital Hill gentrified, it also has the highest crime rate in the city.
http://washparkprophet.blogspot.com/2010/12/sun-valley-considered.html
I’m with you on the grass. I don’t understand why landscape architects sometimes don’t take into account what will be obvious traffic patterns. Humans are like water–we prefer the easiest route. See also: Commons Park and the muddy trail through the middle of the big lawn.
I agree. I don’t think RTD takes into account pedestrian access for any of its stations. There seems to be a mindset that everyone will drive and park to ride light rail.
Great post! Don’t forget, that “lovely power plant” is slated for decomissioning in 3 years, potentially opening up land for redevelopment on the river and near the light rail system. Of course this is pending regulatory approval.
Do you know, would this have any effect on the high tension power lines that currently run through Riverfront Park? I have also noticed that power plant magically “disappearing” on planning docs for several years now, and that it seems to be the primary object that those lines connect to in the immediate area. It would be AWESOME if we could get those rerouted away from one of our city’s most iconic locations.
There is mention in the Station Area plan of undergrounding those power lines.
It is also two blocks west of Strange Brewing Co’s fabulous taproom.
Indeed it is.
I agree with you Ryan, dumbest placement of grass ever. They couldn’t have just planted some trees and used hardscaping? But I guess you’re right…it all comes down to money.
I know the prospect of hosting the Winter Olympics is probably at least a decade away, but I always thought this area would be perfect for the Olympic Village. With the power plant torn down, riverfront location, adjacent train station, and proximity to Invesco Field and downtown, IU cannot think of a more ideal location. After the Olympics, the site could be used for mixed-use development. Hope it happens in my lifetime!
I’ve always thought the Stockshow/Coliseum area would be perfect for an Olympic Village if the Stockshow moved to Aurora, but this area would be great, too.
After Broncos games, won’t the W trains arrive already full of fans from the Sports Authority station? If there will be trains starting at Decatur-Federal, where will they come from? Going through the Sports Authority station without stopping?
I posted a somewhat lengthy mild criticism of the design of this stop at http://washparkprophet.blogspot.com/2013/04/transit-and-infrastructure-in-denver.html
In a nutshell, the intergration with Rude Rec Center and the adjacent social services agency complex for pedestrians is poor.
Amen.Your criticism is extremely apt and on target. Too many silos and the few means for connecting them, such as DRCOG, often do a very poor job.