Jul 18, 2008 7:57 am US/Mountain
Hickenlooper: Don't Miss Big Opportunity
DENVER (CBS4) ―
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper is telling Denver area residents they shouldn't be afraid to visit downtown during the Democratic National Convention in late August. He wants the city to look alive for visitors and the worldwide media and says it won't be that hard for people to get into the area.
"So there are maybe a dozen buildings where people will have to get a pass and show their pass," Hickenlooper said. "But they'll be able to go to and from their homes. Its a little inconvenience but you'll be able to get around. The number of road closures is just a fraction of what Boston had to do. The secret service has been great. They said 'your whole downtown will be open. We may have to close Speer during much of the day but it will be open to the morning rush hour.' It's been a great collaboration to show that Denver is open for business. We're finding a way."
Hickenlooper told CBS4's Jim Benemann that the city's downtown is the envy of many other cities and he doesn't want that lost on convention visitors.
"Restaurants are offering discounts and there will be many family events downtown during the day and evening," he said. "I think if people are planning to leave town they're missing a big opportunity.
"So many restaurants and 25,000 plus people living downtown or nearby. People scratch their heads and ask how did they do that. And yet, if all these journalists see a ghost town, what a lost opportunity that will be."
Hickenlooper said he's not worried about security or transportation; he just worries about people not coming downtown.
"so I wake up in the night and wonder 'how can we get more restaurant discounts and how can we get more people downtown so visitors see Denver as full of people and life and vibrancy,'" he said.
One of the highlights for people visiting Denver during the convention is expected to be the American President Fest in the parking lot of Invesco Field at Mile High. The huge traveling museum is dedicated to the history of the presidency.
Additional Resources:
See maps of the road closures during the DNC for Denver:
The city of Denver's full release on other closures and downtown access issues during the DNC lies below:
• As announced in mid-June, Bannock Street between 14th Avenue and Colfax Avenue will be closed August 25 - 27 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. for the Designated Parade Route staging area. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - which avoids the standard morning and evening commute times - the westbound lanes of Colfax Avenue from Bannock Street to Speer Boulevard will be closed for the Designated Parade Route, as will the southbound lanes of Speer Boulevard from Colfax Avenue to Larimer Street. The eastbound lanes of Colfax Avenue and the northbound lanes of Speer will remain open, but some slowdown in traffic flow is expected. The RTD light rail line which crosses Speer Boulevard at Stout Street will remain open at all times, including the time allocated for parades. Additional security provided by RTD will supplement law enforcement officials to ensure the safety of marchers when the light rail trains cross the parade route.
• While still accessible to pedestrians, vehicular traffic on the following blocks between 15th Street and Speer Boulevard will be limited to residents and employees from Monday, August 25 through Wednesday, August 27: Wazee, Wynkoop, Delgany, Wewatta, and Little Raven. (More details on residential and business access are below).
Given that the August 28 venue change from the Pepsi Center to Invesco Field at Mile High was just announced on July 7, roadway impacts - including the designated parade route to Invesco - for Thursday of Convention week have not yet been finalized and will be announced by early August.
• RECOMMENDED ROUTE INFORMATION: Monday - Wednesday. The downtown grid has ample street capacity to absorb these manageable diversions and provide local residents and commuters with convenient access to and from downtown. Recommended routes for the four quadrants of the city are described below:
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EAST AND NORTHEAST: Drivers may access downtown from the east and northeast using Martin Luther King Blvd, 18th Avenue, 13th Avenue, and 8th Avenue.
• SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST: With northbound Speer Boulevard closed at Lawrence Street, drivers along Speer Boulevard south of Lawrence, as well as on Lincoln and Santa Fe, may experience slight increases in traffic. It is anticipated that slowing may occur on these streets as they cross Colfax Avenue. Commuters may want to use Downing, Clarkson, or Logan Street to avoid delays. Exiting Downtown may be slightly slower than normal due to Convention-related activities, but once traffic crosses Colfax Avenue, movement along Kalamath, Broadway, Grant, Washington and Corona/Downing should be similar to any normal weekday.
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WEST AND SOUTHWEST: Travelers may access downtown from the west and southwest using 6th Avenue or northbound I-25 to 20th Street. Traffic exiting downtown to the west and southwest may be a little slower than normal; however, with the combination of increased transit use and the absence of Auraria Campus traffic, any delays along Arapahoe, Champa, Glenarm and Colfax should be minimal. Once traffic reaches Kalamath, I-25, and 6th Avenue, travel should be similar to any normal weekday.
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NORTHWEST: Travelers can use I-25 to Park Ave West or 20th Street to access downtown. Traffic exiting downtown to the northwest should use 20th Street or Park Avenue to I-25.
Given that the August 28 venue change from the Pepsi Center to Invesco Field at Mile High was just announced on July 7, roadway impacts - and recommended alternative routes - for Thursday of Convention week have not yet been finalized and will be announced by early August.
RTD PUBLIC TRANSIT INFORMATION: Monday - Wednesday
The use of public transit is always encouraged, and downtown will be accessible by transit. The following information from the Regional Transportation District (RTD) applies to Monday, August 25 through Wednesday, August 27. Any transit impacts related to the Invesco Field event on Thursday, August 28 will be announced when they are finalized.
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LIGHT RAIL: Light rail lines coming into the Central Business District will not be disrupted, including lines D, F and H. There will be no light rail service to or from the Pepsi Center and Denver Union Station stops. Passengers on the C and E lines who want to travel downtown can transfer to the D, F and H lines. All C- and E-line light rail passengers will be required to disembark at the Invesco Field light rail stop.
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BUSES: RTD plans to run normal bus service during the Convention, adjusting routes impacted by street closures. RTD will provide information on these adjustments as they are finalized through its web site, the RTD Telephone Information Center, and information will be posted on buses and light rail.
RESIDENTIAL & BUSINESS ACCESS: Monday - Wednesday
Between street parking, parking lots and garages, downtown parking will be largely accessible.
• The majority of downtown street meters will remain unbagged and available for public use. (Please note that vehicles with disability placards may park at any unbagged meter for up to four hours - whether or not the meter is designated for disabled parking).
Because many commercial buildings directly adjacent to the Pepsi Center have been rented out by private organizations during the Convention week, only a few businesses will be impacted by the screening and access measures described below:
• Residents (and their caretakers or renters, if applicable) and businesses (and their employees) west of 15th Street along Wynkoop, Delgany and Wewatta will receive vehicle placards from the Secret Service enabling them to access their normally assigned parking spots. There will be no pedestrian restrictions in this area, so visitors will be able to come and go on foot.
• Residents (and their caretakers or renters, if applicable) in the small area bound by Speer Boulevard, Wazee Street and 14th Court will receive vehicle placards from Secret Service enabling them to park in their normally assigned parking spots after undergoing vehicle screening at a 24-hour checkpoint. There will be no pedestrian restrictions in this area, so visitors will be able to come and go on foot.
• Residents (and their caretakers or renters, if applicable) and businesses (and their employees) in the area bound by 11th Street, Auraria Parkway, Speer Boulevard and the Pepsi Center will receive personal credentials from the Secret Service, enabling them to come and go by foot with ease. Placards will also be provided for their vehicles enabling them to park in their normally assigned parking spots after undergoing vehicle screening at a 24-hour checkpoint. Individuals renting any of these units during the Convention may undergo the same registration process to obtain these access documents. Residents in this area expecting guests will be asked to meet them on the street and escort them into their building.
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