A transit station area plan that envisions a dense, walkable urban neighborhood at Interstate 25 and Broadway won unanimous approval Monday night from the Denver City Council.
Rapid change could unfold in coming years, with Broadway Station Partners preparing the cleared Gates Rubber Co. site south of I-25, next to the light rail station, for residential and commercial development. North of I-25, developer D4 Urban is making plans of its own in an area now largely covered by shopping centers.
Together, those visions — solidified in the new city plan — bring the potential for what Councilman Jolon Clark sees as a new “midtown Denver,” straddling I-25 and the light rail and freight rail tracks that slice through the area.
The council voted 13-0 after a public hearing Monday to adopt the I-25 and Broadway Station Area Plan.
Among its major themes: maximum building heights ranging from five to 16 stories, which likely will be limited further by city restrictions on blocking mountain views from Washington Park to the east; a series of “transformative” bridge and pedestrian-oriented projects aimed at connecting neighborhoods and parks across the South Platte River and the railroad tracks; a pedestrian-friendly “shared street” parallel to Broadway, running south from the station; and a grand public plaza near the light-rail platform.
Earlier, some commuters who use the expansive parking lots at the current park-n-Ride station expressed concern about lack of detail in the plan for future parking offerings if the lots are redeveloped.
City and Regional Transportation District officials have said commuter parking likely will be available in garages integrated into new developments, but no firm decisions have been made on the future of those lots.
Jon Murray: 303-954-1405, jmurray@denverpost.com or @JonMurray
