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Monday, January 26th, 2004 02:55 pmThis is where I'll be working. It's also one of the most helpful uses of Flash I've seen. Denver West seems to be a prime exemplar of Developer-based suburban mixed-use community planning. It's got all the shining beacons of middle-class America -- indoor outlet mall, apartment with quality amenities, modern office buildings, and a few hotels all nestled against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
I'm a fan of mixed use because it can reduce driving and has the opportunity to build community. When it works really well it can save lives too, because everyone walks to their local pub and doesn't drive home drunk. However, I'm also a fan of places with funk and soul, and Denver West looks decidedly unfunky. I will, of course, reserve judgment until I have a chance to explore it in the flesh. But the ideal mixed use community is fiscally self-contained -- the businesses in the community are owned and staffed by members of the community. And that looks to be the antithesis of Colorado Mills.
One significant difference between Denver West and any other generic new development across the country is its adjacency to the National Renewable Energies Lab. I wonder if that will provide any interesting opportunities.
I'm a fan of mixed use because it can reduce driving and has the opportunity to build community. When it works really well it can save lives too, because everyone walks to their local pub and doesn't drive home drunk. However, I'm also a fan of places with funk and soul, and Denver West looks decidedly unfunky. I will, of course, reserve judgment until I have a chance to explore it in the flesh. But the ideal mixed use community is fiscally self-contained -- the businesses in the community are owned and staffed by members of the community. And that looks to be the antithesis of Colorado Mills.
One significant difference between Denver West and any other generic new development across the country is its adjacency to the National Renewable Energies Lab. I wonder if that will provide any interesting opportunities.
