Tuesday evening, the RTD Board is scheduled to take its initial vote on whether or not to authorize RTD staff to negotiate with one of the two competing candidate teams on a re-use plan for Denver Union Station (DUS).   So, what do you think?

The two candidate teams first pitched their proposed DUS re-use plans during a special hearing on November 3.  The following is the link to a video recording of this hearing:  http://denver.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=68.   More information on the competing re-use proposals is available here:  http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/dus_1.

In summary, both proposals call for a welcoming station environment on the building’s first floor that features retail stores, restaurants and other amenities which will serve the traveling public and other DUS occupants.  The major difference between the two proposals is the character of uses on the upper floors:  The Union Station Neighborhood Corporation team calls for offices while the Union Station Alliance team is proposing a hotel.  Both proposals are attractive and present different levels of risk and opportunity. 

It is clear that citizens throughout the Denver region feel they have a stake in the disposition of this iconic building.  This interest is reflected in the extensive input the Board has received from various stakeholders regarding the two re-use proposals.  To different perspectives in the Denver Post provide a taste of the input we are receiving:

• Editorial: An update, not a major makeover;
• Barnes-Gelt: RTD on the right track.

While all the initial input has been helpful, I still believe further public scrutiny of the two re-use proposals is appropriate before the Board selects its preferred candidate team.  There have been adjustments in each of the proposals since the first submissions, including substantive design changes.  Also, while much of the financial details for each of the re-use proposals is confidential, I am hoping to encourage more transparency on that front so the public has a better understanding of the approach each of the candidate teams is taking in this critical area.  

In general, I think the DUS project will benefit from additional reflection prior to selecting between the competing proposals.  The direction we take on DUS will dictate the character of this transit hub and its surrounding neighborhood for years to come.  Further public input also provides the two competing candidate teams with a chance to clarify their re-use proposals in response to recent public feedback.  Yes, we are on a tight time table for refurbishing Union Station, but clearly an additional month or so will not have a detrimental impact on the FasTracks implementation schedule.

Despite my advocacy for additional public outreach, my RTD Board colleagues may proceed with the scheduled vote on Tuesday evening.  Therefore, I am interested to hear which re-use proposal you believe is best.  I would most appreciate hearing your thoughts some time before the RTD Board’s Tuesday evening discussion.  Ultimately, our goal is to shape DUS in a manner the serves needs of rail passengers, provides the community and RTD with appropriate financial return, and creates a welcome and attractive environment as the hub of Denver’s transit system.  Your thoughts on how we achieve these goals is appreciated.