The rival proposals for redeveloping Union Station unveiled Thursday night offer compelling visions about how to update Denver’s venerable transportation hub. The approaches underscore the wisdom of voters who approved the FasTracks rapid transit plan in 2004.
Both the high-rise plans outlined by Union Station Partners and a more spread-out alternative offered by Continuum-East West Partners carry the concept of “transit-oriented development” to a new level that can strengthen downtown’s economic base and enhance an urban lifestyle designed to balance the “one-car, one-rider” sprawl spawned during the era of cheap gasoline and new freeways.
This new approach is possible because FasTracks is more than just the traditional transportation system designed to move people from point A to points B, C and D. FasTracks blends its new rail and bus systems with modern “new urbanism” and “activity center” zoning concepts by the cities and counties it will serve. The development plans now being crafted throughout metro Denver will allow residents to live, work, shop and entertain themselves without ever leaving point A.
Instead of the ’50s-style zoning that rigidly segregated residential, office and retail uses, forcing homeowners to drive long distances to work or to pick up a quart of milk, activity centers blend office, retail and residential activities in close proximity, along with restaurants, theaters and other amenities. The Union Station site is a particularly good choice for this type of mixed development since it is already close to the downtown office towers and LoDo’s many attractions.
Because the FasTracks plan follows existing transportation corridors to link Denver and the various suburbs together, it needs a common transfer point where riders can shift between light rail, commuter rail and buses. As the region’s long-standing rail center, Union Station is the logical choice for that hub, and FasTracks includes an estimated $213 million to weave the different transit modes together at the site. Both proposals unveiled Thursday would build on that initial funding with some sort of supplemental money, probably supplied by tax increment financing plans.
The two plans were outlined in detail in Friday’s newspaper and can be reviewed on line at denverpost.com/business. A committee of planning, transportation and city officials is now reviewing the plans and is expected to select a developer in October. We encourage regional residents to study the plan and weigh in on a decision that is so important for the metropolitan region’s future.
