Denver’s historic Union Station redevelopment moves forward with RTD lease approval
Construction begins on transit center, retail and hotel spaces December 3, 2012

Nov. 28, 2012 (Denver) – The team of accomplished redevelopers (Larimer Associates, Sage Hospitality, REGen, LLC, and Urban Neighborhoods) who are transforming Denver’s Union Station is pleased to announce that RTD has approved its lease of the historic Union Station building. The project is now set to begin December 3, 2012, turning Union Station into a bustling mixed-use, transit-oriented hub with a planned opening in mid-2014.

The project construction is being led by Colorado’s Milender White Construction Co. The building will be closed to the public starting on Dec. 1 and construction will begin on Dec. 3.

“It’s been a long journey, but our dream to see this historic landmark come back to life is one step closer,” said Dana Crawford, President of Urban Neighborhood and renowned historic preservationist.
Denver’s Larimer Associates is handling the retail leasing of the remodeled urban transit center, which will feature more than 22,000 square feet of ground floor space divided into approximately 10 independent retail and restaurant outlets, complemented by a 12,000 square foot public common area, the “Great Hall,” and 40,000 square feet of outdoor plaza space. In addition, the redeveloped Union Station will house Amtrak and RTD as well as feature a 110-room independent hotel on the upper levels to be managed by Denver’s Sage Hospitality.

“It is great to see this project move to the next stage. We look forward to working with a great team of accomplished developers who will transform the historical Denver Union Station into a transportation hub and tourist destination for generations to come,” said Phil Washington, General Manager of RTD.
To gain insight into what the community’s ideal vendors for the historic neighborhood center, Larimer Associates held a series of focus groups in early 2012 with downtown residents, businesses and transit riders.

“Interest in the space has been very strong and we are now actively working with several prominent Denver chefs and retailers,” said Joe Vostrejs, the Chief Operating Officer at Larimer Associates. “We understand the people want a strong local presence here as this will be a major new focal point for downtown Denver. And we’re also focused on offering services and goods that are important to transit riders and visitors.”

For more information on Denver’s Union Station, please visit www.denverunionstation.org.

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About Regional Transportation District (RTD)
RTD strives to meet the communities’ public transit needs by offering safe, clean, reliable, courteous, accessible and cost-effective service in an eight county service area. RTD is also a visionary among transit agencies creating a larger, better and more accessible system – through revolutionary ideas, public-private partnerships, and transit-oriented development – to fit into the lives of our communities. www.RTD-Denver.com

About Larimer Associates
Denver-based Larimer Associates invests in and manages a diverse portfolio of real estate and hospitality-related businesses. It has been instrumental in creating vibrant retail developments with sensitivity to historic structures, including downtown Denver’s Larimer Square, Hangar 2 in Lowry, 32nd & Lowell in the Highlands neighborhood and 44th & Lowell in the Berkeley neighborhood. www.larimerassociates.com

About Dana Crawford/Urban Neighborhoods
Award-winning preservationist Dana Crawford initiated a concept of urban renewal that was one of the first of its kind in the United States. She pioneered the redevelopment of Denver’s historic Larimer Square in the mid-1960s, creating a festival shopping area from the neglected and abandoned buildings of Denver’s original main street. Today, Larimer Square serves as a prototype for the revitalization of forgotten main streets and architectural landmarks throughout the country. Crawford is one the founders of Historic Denver, the originator of the loft movement in Lower Downtown Denver, and a founder of the Oxford Hotel. www.danacrawford.net

About Sage Hospitality
Founded in 1984, Sage Hospitality has strategically grown into one of the largest privately held hotel management and ownership companies in the nation operating a variety of large, full-service hotels as well as extended stay and select-service properties. Sage Hospitality's comprehensive portfolio includes major international brands such as Marriott, Sheraton, Renaissance, and Westin, and as well as independent boutique hotels. Sage Hospitality has further differentiated with the creation of the Sage Restaurant Group, which has created and is managing 10 unique restaurant concepts including the acclaimed Mercat a la Planxa in Chicago. www.sagehospitality.com

About REGen, LLC
REGen, LLC is a real estate services firm focused on assisting clients with preserving, enhancing or realizing the value of their real estate assets. Drawing from the extensive experience of its principals across all asset classes, they provide investors and clients with asset management strategies for their property from the perspective of a principal investor/developer. REGen, LLC utilizes a systematic approach to development and asset management to allow clients to make highly informed real estate decisions, reduce costs and, when appropriate, monetize their real estate assets. www.regenllc.com

About Milender White Construction Co.
Milender White Construction Co. (MWCC) is a Colorado-based construction firm that delivers high-quality, on-budget and on-time solutions. Focused on safety and customer satisfaction, our seasoned professionals are committed and passionate about cultivating long-term relationships with clients and partners. With practices in general construction, construction management, renewable energy and telecommunications, MWCC offers a wide range of experience as well as turn-key solutions. www.milenderwhite.com

The National Park Service gave approval to the Union Station Alliance to move forward with the Denver train station remodeling project.

"Park Service approval was the last major hurdle we faced, and we now look forward toward our goal of opening this unique mixed-use transportation development by mid-2014," alliance member Walter Isenberg said in a statement.

The Platte Valley & Western Model Railroad Club will be holding it's "Grande Finale" open house on Friday, April 27th from 7pm to 9pm in the basement of Denver's Union Station.

The PV&W will be (temporarily) closing it's doors after almost 30 years due to construction related to the renovation of Denver's Union Station. Tentative reopening is currently scheduled for the Summer of 2014.

The PV&W generally models the transition era of railroading however more recent equipment has been known to be displayed at open houses depending on the members present. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to ask questions and take pictures of the PV&W.

Beginning in May of 2012, the members of the Platte Valley & Western will begin securing the museum quality layout to prevent damage during the construction process. Unlike a holiday train set running around the living room, the Platte Valley & Western Model Railroad has been built into it’s space in the basement of Union Station over the past 25 plus years. During the construction, rolling stock and removable items such as buildings and some scenery elements will be removed and stored off site to prevent damage while contractors carefully work around the more permanent elements to upgrade the various building systems to support the station’s new role as a hotel and transit hub for the metro area.

Thanks to an agreement with Dana Crawford and Union Station Alliance (the renovation team for the station building itself), the club will be reopening in late summer of 2014 once the construction has been completed and all of the items that were removed have been replaced.

Please check the club's website - www.PVWRR.org or Facebook page www.facebook.com/pvwrr for  periodic updates on the progress of the construction project.

Thanks to all our visitors over the past years, we hope to see everyone in 2014!

Thanks,
The Members of the Platte Valley & Western Model Railroad Club

We are thrilled to announce that on March 7, 2012, Dana Crawford accepted the "Legacy" Award on behalf of Union Station Alliance at the 22nd Annual LoDo Limelight Awards.   The "Legacy" Award recognizes and encourages individuals or businesses that demonstrate best practices in the fields of development, renovation or preservation through design, landscape design or architecture and have clearly and successfully demonstrated a contribution to the visual, social, and cultural life in the community.   

To find out the results of the report download a copy here:

Denver Union Station Public Spaces Symposium

Town Hall Meeting

Denver Union Station- Great Hall

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

4:00 PM-5:30 PM

Sponsored by Union Station Alliance

Denver Union Station- Great Hall

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

4:00 PM-5:30 PM

Sponsored by Union Station Alliance

AGENDA

• Introductions
• Today’s Purpose
• PowerPoint:  Update on Denver Union Station Timing
• PowerPoint:  5 Famous Examples of Public Realm Management (Detroit, Cincinnati, New York, Santa Fe, and Chicago)  Anne Hayes, Chair, Union Station Advocates
• The Retail Challenges:  Joe Vostrejs, Larimer Associates
• Consensus Building for Uses in the Public Spaces:  Dana Crawford, Union Station Alliance
• Adjourn 5:30

Thursday, January 19, 2012

4:30 PM

Sponsored by Union Station Alliance

AGENDA

• Introductions
• Questionnaire "A":  How do you use Downtown now?
• Questionnaire "B":  What would you actually use if it was available?
• Group Discussion:  Describe your ideal visit to a completed Union Station
• Conclusion:  Wrap-up