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Building Sustainable Communities Building Sustainable Communities West Corridor TOD West Corridor TOD Denver and Lakewood, CO Denver and Lakewood, CO

COLLABORATION: The South Lincoln redevelopment planning Coordinate and Leverage Federal process included a comprehensive housing Policies and investment with Significant Livability quality evaluation in relationship to its Energy Efficiency and Sustainability surrounding La Alma/Lincoln Park neighbor- Measures with Targets at Site and Project Background The West Corridor Interagency Partnership hood and Denver’s neighborhoods. The Corridor Levels The Denver region is well positioned to capitalize livability principles will include, but not be findings included location and energy-efficient limited to, these select project objectives: housing choices for people of all ages, At the Union Corridor Station Area Plan on a multi-billion dollar transit investment for incomes, races, culture and ethnicities to we will encourage sustainability through neighborhood revitalization, economic development, Increase Transportation Choices increase mobility and lower the combined infill development on the Federal Center sustainable regional growth, mixed-income housing cost of housing and transportation. property in accordance with the adopted and transit oriented development (TOD). In 2004, voters approved FasTracks, Federal Center Master Plan. This will align DHA’s South Lincoln Homes Redevelopment RTD’s $6.8 billion dollar comprehensive transit expansion plan. plan incorporates multi-modal station Enhance Economic Competitiveness by federal policies and funding to remove Creating Economic Development barriers to collaboration, leverage funding, connectivity and a pedestrian friendly This ambitious transportation plan will build: environment. According to a 2009 RTD Opportunities and increase the accountability and • 122 of new and South Lincoln survey, over 50% of effectiveness of all levels of government low-income residents rely upon local public Economic competitiveness is a key principle to plan for future growth, including making • 18 miles of rapid transit transportation. In addition, a recent Denver throughout Denver’s West Corridor initiative, smart energy choices such as locally • 21,000 new parking spaces at light rail and bus stations, and Post (June 14, 2010) article noted that creating economic prosperity for all residents generated renewable energy. • Enhanced bus service across the eight- district. renters are drawn to light rail and as many along the new transit line. An example is reinvestment in the Wadsworth Blvd. Station Value Communities and Neighborhoods as 40% are willing to pay more to live near The Approach: transit stations (Grubb & Ellis study). that will encourage higher paying employment by Providing Access to Employment, and enhance redevelopment efforts already Education, Housing and Services The West Corridor is a 12.1-mile light rail transit corridor between the Denver Union The West Corridor project will incorporate occurring all along . Garrison Street Station Area Station in and the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden, the livability principles which promote safe, The West Corridor TOD partners continue reliable and economical transportation to Support Existing Communities Through to incorporate proven approaches of serving Denver, Lakewood, the , Golden and Jefferson County. increase transportation choices and Positioning of the Corridor for Future community participation in the proposed The West Corridor is the first FasTracks corridor to be implemented and will open Funding redevelopment planning all along the decrease household transportation costs, The Denver region is currently home in 2013. reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign corridor. oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse The Oak Street Station Area Plan will encour- to 2.8 million people, with 40% of To fully realize the potential of the West Corridor transit investment, the Denver age continued reinvestment along Colfax At the Lamar Street Station and South gas emissions, and promote public health. Housing Authority, Metro West Housing Solutions (formerly Lakewood Housing Avenue, with mixed use and retail opportunities Lincoln Homes, redevelopment should renters willing to pay more to live near Authority), and cities of Denver and Lakewood are partnering on a corridor-wide, Promote Equitable, Affordable Housing that provide revitalization and promote land seamlessly integrate into the existing transit stations. In addition, the recycling for larger retailers, office users, public neighborhood and compliment the strategic TOD implementation plan that will leverage the public transit investment Through the Balance of Preservation and region's population is expected to Expansion of Affordable Housing with works investments and safeguard architectural design of the existing to attract, shape and accelerate private investment along the corridor, benefiting Strategic Reinvestment urban/suburban landscapes. neighborhood while generating ‘value grow to 4.2 million by 2035, with an everyone. add’ of any new construction to the expected increase in ridership to The Decatur Station Area Plan may incorpo- entire community. This approach entails a comprehensive assessment of corridor planning work to rate the redevelopment of DHA’s Sun Valley 29,700 by 2030. As a result, improve- date that creates a corridor-wide vision for sustainable, mixed-income TOD. Homes and other low-income multi-family ments in transportation infrastructure housing while planning a new mixed-use, The benefits of this regional implementation approach include helping to mixed income neighborhood that maintains strategically integrated with land use prioritize: and sustains public housing eligible, decisions are critical to maintaining • Leveraging of public and private investment low-income affordable housing. the excellent quality of life that • Identifying existing and future funding sources • Making recommendations on policy and programmatic interventions to help attracts so many to the Denver region. realize the vision • Gaining commitments from key actors in helping to implement the strategies • Preserving and creating affordable housing, and • Applying livability principles to new community developments

continued Building Sustainable Communities West Corridor TOD

Denver and Lakewood, CO Knox/ Area Union Corridor Station Area Sheridan Boulevard Station Area

PLANNING: IMPLEMENTATION: Community Engagement Master Plan Highlights

The Interagency Partnership livability • Identify catalytic redevelopment sites, South Lincoln Homes Public input was critical to the success of The final redevelopment master plan empha- principles that will be carried out on the West considering each site within the context Redevelopment the master planning process for South sizes transit oriented development, higher Corridor projects will meet the following Lincoln. The process involved the commu- densities, diverse housing choices, a mix of The Denver region is well positioned to capitalize of the overall corridor plan; Wadsworth Boulevard objectives: The redevelopment of the South Lincoln nity in a series of over 120 stakeholder and uses and outdoor amenities and environments on a multi-billion dollar transit investment for Station Area • Include significant energy efficiency and Homes, located near RTD’s 10th & Osage Local Resident Council meetings and that encourage healthful lifestyles. neighborhood revitalization, economic development, • Balance the preservation and expansion of sustainability measures with targets at light rail station, marks the Denver interviews. After reviewing the work already sustainable regional growth, mixed-income housing affordable housing with reinvestment; site and corridor level; Housing Authority’s first venture into the completed for the Station Area Plan, the In addition to featuring a spectrum of housing and transit oriented development (TOD). In 2004, voters approved FasTracks, new West Corridor light rail line. DHA’s 10th & Osage Area Plan, the Health Initiative options, the redevelopment of South Lincoln RTD’s $6.8 billion dollar comprehensive transit expansion plan. • Provide access to employment, education, • Position the corridor for future funding; goal for the South Lincoln Homes is to Audit (HIA) and the Cultural Audit, the Homes will serve as a national benchmark to housing and services; and transform the 18-acre site into a holistic, design team assembled existing Key Focus demonstrate: This ambitious transportation plan will build: transit-oriented development maintaining Areas and goals generated by the commu- • Create economic development opportuni- the core attributes of a highly green, nity as a starting point for the South Lincoln Sustainability and Energy Efficiency • 122 miles of new commuter rail and light rail • Serve as a regional model for livable ties for a healthy economy; communities. sustainable, mixed-use community, Redevelopment. • 18 miles of promoting a healthy lifestyle, mobility, • High performance buildings including: • 21,000 new parking spaces at light rail and bus stations, and Lamar Street Station Area integration of the arts and educational Additionally, a comprehensive metric Energy Star appliances, LED and florescent • Enhanced bus service across the eight-county district. opportunities for the diverse mix of new provided by the HDMT evaluation process lighting, advanced controls, tank less water and existing residents. will be used to ensure that all communities heaters, low flow plumbing fixtures, highly The Approach: have equal access to health resources. efficient HVAC systems and solar water Once completed in 2018, South Lincoln heating The West Corridor is a 12.1-mile light rail transit corridor between the Denver Union will feature 800-900 new residential units complimented with space for retail, office • LEED certification for Neighborhood Station in downtown Denver and the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden, and a variety of community services. Development, New Construction and other serving Denver, Lakewood, the Denver Federal Center, Golden and Jefferson County. Enterprise Green Communities criteria The West Corridor is the first FasTracks corridor to be implemented and will open • Sustainable green infrastructure and storm in 2013. water management

To fully realize the potential of the West Corridor transit investment, the Denver Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Housing Authority, Metro West Housing Solutions (formerly Lakewood Housing Authority), and cities of Denver and Lakewood are partnering on a corridor-wide, • A central plaza providing a clear, safe linkage to the 10th and Osage Light Rail strategic TOD implementation plan that will leverage the public transit investment Station to attract, shape and accelerate private investment along the corridor, benefiting everyone. • Improved connections to nearby services and destinations This approach entails a comprehensive assessment of corridor planning work to • Enhanced pedestrian and bicycle access date that creates a corridor-wide vision for sustainable, mixed-income TOD. Healthy Living The benefits of this regional implementation approach include helping to prioritize: • A community vegetable garden where • Leveraging of public and private investment residents of the community can have private plots • Identifying existing and future funding sources • Making recommendations on policy and programmatic interventions to help • Small private entry gardens for growing realize the vision flowers and vegetables • Gaining commitments from key actors in helping to implement the strategies • Preserving and creating affordable housing, and • Applying livability principles to new community developments continued