Lower Downtown District, Inc.

THE ROOTS OF THE LOWER DOWNTOWN DISTRICT INC.

Feb 11, 2000

For many, it's hard to remember what LoDo used to be like?…even just 20 years ago. But those who were real pioneers in protecting and preserving our neighborhood share the same goals we still have today, despite the many changes in Lower Downtown.

Property Owners Join Forces
In the mid-80s, Lower Downtown was faces with a growing number of proposals, such as downzoning, Historic District designation, the Auraria Parkway traffic and the proposed DUT Convention Center. To respond to these proposals, Mickey Zepplin rounded up LoDo property owners to discus the direct impacts on property rights and values.

More established groups, such as RTD, Historic Denver and the Denver Partnership were proposing numerous development and "get-well" plans for the area most though of as skid row.

Under Mickey's leadership, the property owners gained a voice in this crowd of organizations - and earned commitments for public improvements as well as regulatory reforms that were supported by the property owners. This established Lower Downtown Property Owners Association as the neighborhood organization representing Lodo.

"Design District" Leads to LDDI
While all the issue-oriented controversies were raging in LoDo, the Design District, located at the Ice House, launched a extensive marketing campaign to identify LoDo and the Ice House in particular as the premier location for the industry in Denver. It was this powerful combination of marketing and becoming a united voice that formed the Lower Downtown District Inc. (LDDI).

Early LDDI Principles Still Stand
The early organization was founded on the principle that the Lower Downtown neighborhood has a unique and irreplaceable value and that the enhancement of that value benefits all who may live, work or own property here.

As advocates, the organization would focus on the issues that would continue to affect the area from the time prior to its Historic District designation in 1988 until today.

First LoDown Introduces Issues
The first issue of LoDown, the group's quarterly newsletter, was published in 1989 and introduced its readers to the issues championed by this organization. It also outlined their strategy "to promote Lower Downtown as a diverse neighborhood with common goals, furthering its inherent assets as a vital commercial, residential and entertainment district which combines historic character with complementary new improvements in a pedestrian-scale environment."


Early Policies of LDDI Group
To accomplish this mission, that first organization developed these policies over a decade ago:
* No additional bus traffic. Existing bus traffic must be better controlled and confined to designated facilities.
* Viaducts must be removed and replacement streets provided at grade.
* The 16th Street Mall and its shuttle bus service must be extended to Union Station. Only shuttle buses and pedestrian uses should be permitted on the mall.
* Union Station is the heart of Lower Downtown and the key development opportunity. It must be pursued jointly by all interests for mutual benefit.
* Vacant land adjacent tot he 16th Street Mall is the premier development opportunity and must be a focus for private investment and public support. The development should promote pedestrian vitality in Lower Downtown and set an example for human scale, mixed-use projects in the area.
* The city's Lower Downtown Streetscape Project must be extended to streets throughout the district.
Streetscapes should be well designed for interest and safety with a friendly pedestrian orientation that includes walk lights at every intersection.
* Streetscapes should be well designed for interest and safety with a friendly pedestrian orientation that includes walk lights at every intersection.
* Improvement to the pedestrian environment along the Auraria Parkway in LoDo must be implemented concurrently with street construction.
* A long-term solution to parking must be provided.
* As a designated historic district, Lower Downtown is considered a city asset, but because properties are privately owned, the city and the community-at-large must assume responsibility in protecting and maintaining this asset and balancing the rights of private-property owners.

Early Visionaries Still Active Today
Many of the visionaries who helped form LDDI - as well as the principals and policies that are still at the heart of LDDI today - were early Board Members and are still in the area.

Early founders, Herb Wanderer, Joanne Salzman and Ellen Wilensky, continue as Board Members in LDDI today. Others still active in the community include Mickey Zepplin, Evan Makovsky, James P. Gade, Susan Hilb, Robert Yeager, Diane Croce ad Richard Weber

This month, we recognize their efforts and their vision - and thanks them for the solid foundation of issues that LDDI still pursues today.