Downtown Denver is being held up as a model for urban revitalization at a conference of downtown developers here this week.
But there’s more to do, say visitors in town for the conference and Denver developers.
One of the tasks still in progress is developing the cultural districts downtown.
“It’s an evolutionary piece,” said Dennis Humphries, president of the Golden Triangle Association.
The Golden Triangle with the Denver Art Museum, the Central Denver Public Library and other attractions is redeveloping with the art museum’s expansion.
The Denver Performing Arts Complex is gaining more attention with the opening of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
But between those districts lies a tangle of traffic, streets and sidewalks that look dingy or unwelcoming in comparison.
“Your performing arts center is not connected to your library and art gallery and museum,” said Richard White, executive director of the Calgary Downtown Association and a presenter at the International Downtown Association conference running through today at the Colorado Convention Center.
To connect to the Golden Triangle, one idea being floated is a bus, much like the 16th Street Mall shuttle, Humphries said.
Another pedestrian walkway that could be further developed is right between the Performing Arts Complex and the 16th Street Mall, White said.
Barriers to that connection are buildings on those blocks, including the Federal Reserve Bank and the Executive Tower Inn, Humphries said.
It could take five to seven years and a combination of public and private funding to develop those connections, he said.
“But I think there’s still great potential,” Humphries said. “The great thing is there’s an identification that there’s a problem.”
Staff writer Kelly Yamanouchi can be reached at 303-820-1488 or kyamanouchi @denverpost.com.
