Denver Startup Week Showcases Thriving Entrepreneurial Community in Fifth Year

13,334 people registered to attend 306 programs at the fifth annual event

DENVER (Sept. 20) – Denver Startup Week, the largest free entrepreneurial event of its kind in North America, wrapped up on Sept. 16 following five days of events that showcased Downtown Denver’s thriving culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. 13,334 people registered to attend 306 programs focused on highlighting Denver as an entrepreneurial center on the local, regional and national stage, while enhancing community and providing resources for the startup community. Denver Startup Week was made possible by Title Sponsors Chase for Business, Comcast NBCUniversal and the Downtown Denver Partnership, in addition to more than 50 other community sponsors and Denver entrepreneurs.

Organized by the Denver Startup Week Organizing Committee and co-led by Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership, Erik Mitisek, executive director of Project X-ITE at the University of Denver, and Ben Deda, chief operating officer at Galvanize, Denver Startup Week grew attendance at the fifth annual event by nearly 25 percent.

“Denver Startup Week continues to make a powerful statement that our entrepreneurial ecosystem is one of the best in the country,” said Ben Deda, chief operating officer at Galvanize. “Growing by nearly 25 percent in our fifth year highlights the significant value our local community provides to those looking to start and grow their business.”

Highlights from the week include:

• Governor John Hickenlooper and Mayor Michael B. Hancock joined Denver Startup Week organizers and sponsors to celebrate surpassing 12,500 attendees with a toast on Sept. 14. Mayor Hancock also spoke at the event’s kick-off breakfast with encouragement for those who start a business in Denver to access the resources and top talent to stay in Denver. Both Governor Hickenlooper and Mayor Hancock also participated in several panels throughout the week.
• Several organizations received funding support through Denver Startup Week programs, including $240,00 in philanthropic grant funding awarded to four organizations who provide assistance to underserved entrepreneurs. Accion, The Commons on Champa, Mi Casa Resource Center and the Path to Entrepreneurship (P2E) Program for Underserved Entrepreneurs in Boulder County by JPMorgan Chase each received $60,000 grants at the Kick-off Breakfast on Sept. 12. The Commons on Champa also received a $25,000 grant from Wells Fargo to support year-round programming.
• The first-of-its-kind Denver Startup Week Pitch Challenge, sponsored by Project X-ITE, saw more than 150 applicants vie for the title of Champion of Denver Startup Week. The Soccer Sidekick, presented by Santiago Valez, won more than $25,000 worth of prizes from the Denver entrepreneurial community. Other finalists included SYNEK, Givella, Prima-Temp, Orderly Health, mcSquares, edn and AdKiosk.
• The inaugural Maker Wall, constructed by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, showcased products from Colorado’s diverse maker community including Revolar, Topo Designs, Icelantic Skis, Novo Coffee and more. The Maker Wall will soon take up residence at The Commons on Champa.
• Denver’s reputation as one of the best places to start and grow a business once again attracted notable speakers and founders including Bryan Leach, CEO of Ibotta; Joshua Reeves, CEO and Co-Founder and Eddie Kim, CTO and co-founder of Gusto; Dan Caruso, CEO and Chairman of Zayo Group; Lee Mayer, co-founder and CEO of Havenly; Chris Terill, CEO Of HomeAdvisory; Mel Robbins, a well-known and inspirational TEDx Talk speaker, and Ryan Wood, founder of Sweetwood Cattle Company and co-founder of Under Armour.

"Denver Startup Week showcases the bleeding edge in technology innovation in Downtown Denver and across the State, and it's been exciting to watch this event grow so successfully over the last several years" said Scott Heimes, CMO of SendGrid. "SendGrid is proud to play a role in Denver Startup Week by providing support, mentorship and knowledge sharing for younger startups so we can collectively foster a growing local startup ecosystem." 

"Denver Startup Week is an amazing way to connect with other entrepreneurs, even ones at very different stages from you, and really get plugged back in to the whole community,” said Lee Mayer, co-founder and CEO of Havenly and speaker at the Kick-off Breakfast.  “The local ecosystem is clearly thriving and as it continues to grow, will continue to be such a vital source of support to those of us who take a leap of faith to give starting something new a try." 

Denver Startup Week 2016 By the Numbers also includes:

·         More than 300 volunteers

·         Nearly 1,500 people attended the Denver Startup Week Job Fair to meet with 65 companies

·         More than 6,000 people visited Basecamp, launched by Chase for Business

·         More than 5,000 companies represented

·         664 center city tech startups employ 4,508 people, according to the Downtown Denver Startup Report released Monday, Sept. 12

·         More than 1,000 people attended the Kick-off Breakfast, which sold out in 26 minutes

·         3,094 cups of coffee, provided by DripJoy

·         30 Biz Dev and 30 Financial Fitness sessions at Basecamp

·         47 mentors contributed 94 hours of volunteer time

“Our growing number of sponsors, volunteers, participants and companies proves Denver Startup Week is by the community and for the community, and we continue to welcome people who want to be part of driving the best in technology and innovation,” said Erik Mitisek, executive director of Project X-ITE at the University of Denver.

Basecamp, launched by Chase for Business, returned as the hub and epicenter of Denver Startup Week. Basecamp featured an exciting line-up of entrepreneurs and innovators through keynote speakers, panels and mentoring sessions throughout the week. Chase for Business also held 30 individual Financial Fitness sessions for the community this year to help enable financially strong startups.

“From the beginning, we’ve supported Denver Startup Week to help provide an authentic platform to cultivate startups and innovation, and create the connectivity that will grow this ecosystem,” said Chris Jensen, middle market manager for Chase in Colorado. “As we wrap up our fifth year of sponsorship, we’re extremely proud that Denver’s startup scene is booming and registration is breaking records. This year we put a spotlight on nonprofit organizations such as the Commons on Champa that provide infrastructure that entrepreneurs - particularly women and minorities - need that will open doors and create more opportunities for startups to thrive.”

New resources were also made available to Denver’s entrepreneurs through Denver Startup Week, including the Denver Office of Economic Development releasing the fifth edition of the Denver Capital Matrix, a resource directory of funding sources for Denver small business and entrepreneurs.

“Denver Startup Week showcases Downtown Denver as an epicenter of culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and helps inject additional momentum into our year-round programs and resources for the startup community,” said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership.

Dates for the sixth annual Denver Startup Week will be announced later this year.

*Click here for photos from Denver Startup Week.

About Denver Startup Week: 
Denver Startup Week, founded in 2012, is a celebration of everything entrepreneurial in Denver.  The weeklong event is intended to unite the entrepreneurial community in Denver and celebrate the great companies, innovation and ideas happening in the city and the people and inspiration behind them.  The core programming is centered on the entrepreneurial community with an emphasis in technology, design, social entrepreneurship, manufacturing and business.  Events throughout the week are organized by both the Denver Startup Week Organizing Committee and the community at-large and include sessions, presentations, panels, workshops, happy hours, social events, job fairs and more.  Denver Startup Week is sponsored by the Downtown Denver Partnership, Comcast NBCUniversal, Chase for Business and several community sponsors and Denver entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.DenverStartupWeek.org. 

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Brea Olson, @DENStartupWeek, 303.775.4712
[email protected]

Photo by Denver Startup Week

External Audit Verifies City's Good Financial Health

Reposted from denvergov.org

The City and County of Denver received an unmodified or “clean” opinion from its independent auditor, BKD, for 2015.  Denver’s Charter requires an annual independent external audit of the City’s finances, with separate reports for Denver International Airport, the Wastewater Management fund and the Deferred Compensation Plan Trust Fund.  

These audits verify that the City and County of Denver (CCD) has accurately and fairly presented information in its financial statements.  “The overall financial condition of Denver is excellent,” observed Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien, CPA, who is chairman of the City’s Audit Committee which supervises the annual external audit.  Denver has submitted its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) to the Government Finance Officers' Association for a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.  CCD has received this award every year.

“Denver is a huge operation, so it’s no surprise that everything doesn’t work perfectly all the time,” explained O’Brien.  “The purpose of the annual external audit is to identify areas of risk for the City.  City Controller Beth Machann and other City officials have instituted a culture of continuous improvement to make sure errors aren’t repeated, and that systems are perfected to prevent inaccurate accounting.”

BKD’s 2015 audit found a material weakness in DIA’s accounting for capital assets.  BKD recommended that in projects like the DIA Hotel and Transit Center, involving multiple funding sources and multiple contractors, tracking mechanisms should be developed for financial assurance and financial reporting.  BKD also recommended that documentation of significant decisions should be maintained.

Significant deficiencies were found in capital asset accounting and reporting, which was the subject of an audit performed by the Auditor’s Office in March.  In the Denver Department of Human Services, limited staffing led to infrequent reviews of the electronic benefit transfer card.  It was also recommended that DDHS enforce its policy detailing when and why case comments should be entered by case workers dealing with Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.  The Office of Economic Development was encouraged to obtain Federal Housing Authority rates annually to calculate the correct amount of federal housing assistance in affordable housing projects. 

“The City agreed with all of BKD’s findings,” said O’Brien.  “BKD also alerted us to new accounting requirements that will be effective in future audits, and provided helpful guidance on the past year’s implementation of GASB 68 rules for pension accounting and reporting.  BKD’s government experience and familiarity with frequently changing accounting rules are a beneficial combination for the City and County of Denver.”

2015 Management Letter from BKD
2015 Required Communication
2015 Single Audit Reports
2015 DIA Financial Statements
2015 DIA Passenger Facility Charges Statements
2015 Wastewater Management Financial Statements
2015 Deferred Compensation Plan Statements
2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Downtown Denver Partnership Recognizes Success of Place-Based Economic Development Strategy, Honors Members at Annual Meeting

DENVER (July 20, 2016) – The Downtown Denver Partnership recognized the success of its place-based economic development strategy at the organization’s 61st Annual Meeting today, also outlining strategic initiatives for the coming year and honoring outstanding contributions by its leaders and members. The annual meeting, presented by Grant Thornton, is an opportunity for the Downtown Denver Partnership (Partnership) to showcase activities that align with the high-impact strategies outlined in the 2007 Downtown Area Plan and report on progress toward building a healthy and vital Downtown Denver. More than 900 civic and business leaders were in attendance.
 
“The Downtown Denver Partnership leads the private sector to build Downtown Denver as the premier economic hub of the region,” says Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “We have a bias for action through results-driven planning and execution, and our impact on the center city is significant. We appreciate the opportunity to come together with our more than 720 member organizations each year to celebrate our success and look forward to the impact we will make in the coming year.”
 
The Partnership reported on accomplishments over the past year, which are detailed in the organization’s 2015-16 Annual Report, and announced several priorities for the upcoming year, including:
 
·        Advancing implementation of the Downtown Security Action Plan, including hiring a private security team for the 16th Street Mall (Mall) and establishing a security command center to coordinate information sharing and implementation of the plan.

·        Launching an interactive Arapahoe Square Property Owner Map to allow developers, investors and City agencies to see parcel-specific information regarding ownership, improvements and zoning. Arapahoe Square is one of the seven transformative projects in the Downtown Area Plan, and the Partnership is also leading several initiatives to spur catalytic investment in this area including developing a brand vision to best tell the story of Downtown’s Next Great Neighborhood.

·        Leading marketing efforts to recruit senior developers to Downtown Denver to expand Downtown’s culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and meet the growing demand for top talent.

·        Advocating for affordable housing options while balancing business and property owner interests, including evaluating funding sources, uses and governance for the City’s proposed dedicated revenue fund for affordable housing.

·        Working with public- and private-sector partners to develop a competitiveness report that, with the support of a national consultant, will define key indicators to inform policy decisions including tax initiatives, business incentives and infrastructure investments.

·        Defining a clear vision for the future of the Mall, in collaboration with the City and County of Denver and the Regional Transportation District, through The Mall Experience study.

·        Developing a strategic plan for economic development for the Mall that will emphasize retail and development opportunities, and take into account amenities that support visitors, workers and residents.

·        Pursuing a Local Maintenance District for Skyline Park to provide additional private sector support of maintenance, infrastructure and programming.

·        Establishing the vision and course for the Downtown Loop, an urban trail that will weave through the center city to connect cultural destinations, attract visitors, and represent Denver’s outdoor, environmental and artistic values.

·        Engaging with the City to update the Downtown Multi Modal Access Plan to advance the use of emerging transportation technologies, choices in mobility and a network of options to support how people move in cities.

The Partnership also recognized the leadership of outgoing chairman of the Partnership, Joe Vostrejs, partner of City Street Investors. Walter Isenberg, president & CEO of Sage Hospitality, was elected as chairman of the Partnership for 2016-17. In addition, Rob Cohen, CEO of The IMA Financial Group, Inc., was elected for a second term as chairman of Downtown Denver Inc.; Trinidad Rodriguez, senior vice president & managing director, Public Finance of D.A. Davidson, was elected chairman of Denver Civic Ventures; and Bill Mosher, senior managing director of Trammell Crow Company, was elected chairman-elect of the Partnership.
 
Several members were also recognized for their significant contributions to the Partnership’s efforts in the urban core:
 
Honorary Partner Award: Presented to a member who exhibits strong leadership and engagement in the Partnership for a period of at least ten years

·        Cole Finegan, Regional Managing Partner, Hogan Lovells US LLP

Peter Bowes Award: Presented to a member who exemplifies the legacy of Peter Bowes, past chairman of the Downtown Denver Partnership

·        Brandy Bertram, Director of Development, Colorado Open Lands

Volunteer of the Year Awards: Presented to members who have made significant contributions to the Partnership’s programs and initiatives over the last year

·        Tom Carroll, Associate, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP

·        Kevin Kelley, Office Managing Partner, Husch Blackwell

·        Wendy Williams, Director of Property Management, Vector Property Services, LLC
 
Click here to read more about the award winners. For more information, including to view the 2015-16 Downtown Denver Partnership Annual Report visit downtowndenver.com.
 
About the Downtown Denver Partnership
The Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. partners with public, private and non-profit entities to implement high-impact strategies, outlined in the organization’s long-term strategy the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, to support its vision for an economically healthy, growing and vital Downtown Denver. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com.

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Downtown Denver Partnership Releases 2016 State of Downtown Denver Report

DENVER (May 10, 2016) – The Downtown Denver Partnership issued today the 2016 State of Downtown Denver report. The annual report, funded in part by the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, is one of the most comprehensive statistical looks at the stories and statistics behind a thriving center city, detailing increasing investment, strong office market fundamentals, a growing and highly-educated workforce and vibrant residential population in Downtown Denver.

“Our center city’s strong economy and dynamic energy creates a place where people want to live and work, and as a result, it’s a place where companies want to locate,” said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “Downtown Denver is a model for what a great city can be as a result of our collective strategic, place-based economic development strategy and the long-term vision and commitment of public and private-sector leaders.”

At a breakfast attended by nearly 600 business and civic leaders, Door presented key facts from the report, including:

Development and Investment
Developers are responding to increased demand propelled by a strong population and job growth, as well as key public-sector investments. $2.5 billion of investment is under construction or planned for Downtown Denver, on top of more than $634 million of investment in 2015 that included 15 projects to create an additional 511 hotel rooms, 1,901 residential units and 333,000 square feet of office space.

Office Market and Employers
Downtown Denver is an ideal place to start or grow a business. In the past 24 months, 24 companies have relocated or expanded, and office market fundamentals remain strong with a 9.5 percent direct vacancy rate and $33.14/square foot direct average lease rate. As of the beginning of 2016, an additional 2.8 million square feet of office space was planned or under construction.

Workforce
More people are working in Downtown Denver than ever before, totaling 123,548 at the end of 2015. Employment has increased 13.2 percent since 2010, surpassing the nation-wide increase of 8.5 percent. Denver is also the seventh most educated metro area in the country, with more than 40 percent of Denver Metro area residents earning a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Students and Universities
54,000 students attend public, not-for-profit institutions of higher education in Downtown Denver, and more than 10,000 students attend trade or private institutions. The Auraria Higher Education Center continues to see growth and investment to help ensure businesses are able to recruit qualified employees, with new facilities including an aerospace and engineering sciences building at Metropolitan State University of Denver, and an advanced manufacturing center at the Community College of Denver.

Residents
Ranked as the top place to live in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report, 75,972 people live in Downtown Denver. Attracted to vibrant walkable districts and diverse residential amenities, this number is expected to grow by 12.6 percent over the next five years, compared to 3.7 percent nationally.

Retail and Restaurants
First-to-market and new-to-downtown options create a diverse retail scene, including the second non-coastal location for Uniqlo, which will open a 23,000-square-foot flagship store later this year. 53 percent of businesses along the 16th Street Mall are local businesses or local chains contributing to the $45 million in retail sales tax collections generated in Downtown Denver in 2015.

Mobility
Multi-modal transportation options converge in Downtown Denver, where nearly 60 percent of Downtown Denver employees commute to work via transit, walk, bike or ride share. 21 percent of Downtown Denver residents don’t own a car.

Public Space and Activation
Downtown Denver’s parks and public spaces are an economic asset for the community and help transform an individual’s experience in the center city. In 2015, public spaces were activated for a collective total of 749 days. Events like Meet in the Street, produced by the Downtown Denver Partnership and funded by the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, resulted in 30 percent more pedestrian traffic on the Mall, and 60 percent of people spending more time in the space.

Tourism and Attractions
A world-class destination for regional and international tourists, more than 15 million people, including one million conference attendees to the Colorado Convention Center, visit the city each year and spend a total of $4.6 billion. Downtown Denver’s 32 hotels also experience high occupancy rates, and with four new hotels planned.

“I applaud the Downtown Denver Partnership for leading the private sector’s commitment to help develop and implement the strategies that are responsible for the economically vibrant center city showcased in the 2016 State of Downtown Denver report,” said Joe Vostrejs, principal of City Street Investors and chairman of the Downtown Denver Partnership.

Following an overview of the report, a panel moderated by Rob Cohen, CEO of IMA Financial, and including Crissy Fanganello, director of transportation for Denver Public Works, Chris Frampton, managing partner of East West Partners, and Scott Heimes, chief marketing officer at SendGrid, discussed the opportunities and challenges facing Downtown Denver, including population growth, mobility, affordability and education, as well as the role the entrepreneurial community plays in the future of the center city.

“While Downtown Denver is certainly thriving, it’s important to continue collaboration between the public and private sector and engage in important dialogue to drive our center city forward,” said Rob Cohen, CEO of IMA Financial and chair of the Partnership’s Downtown Denver Inc. Board of Directors. “Let’s continue to invest in and capitalize on the opportunities we’ve worked so hard for and ensure Downtown Denver remains the best place in the entire country to live, work and visit.”

For more information and to view the complete 2016 State of Downtown Denver report, visit www.downtowndenver.com.

About the Downtown Denver Partnership
The Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. partners with public, private and non-profit entities to implement high-impact strategies, outlined in the organization’s long-term strategy the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, to support its vision for an economically healthy, growing and vital Downtown Denver. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com.

About The Downtown Denver Business Improvement District
The Downtown Denver Business Improvement District (BID) is a public organization funded by private commercial property owners. It strives to provide a clean, safe and vibrant Downtown environment for workers, residents and visitors. Through their annual assessments to this quasi-governmental entity, BID property owners fund a series of district-wide programs that enhance Downtown Denver, including cleaning and maintenance efforts, safety initiatives and targeted visitor marketing. The BID is an independent organization that contracts with the Downtown Denver Partnership to manage its work program. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com/about-the-bid.

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Downtown Denver Partnership Honors Six Transformational Projects at 55th Annual Downtown Denver Awards

The Downtown Denver Partnership presented six awards today to transformational projects in Downtown Denver that contribute to an economically healthy, growing and vital center city at the 55th Annual Downtown Denver Awards Dinner, presented by Polsinelli.

The honorees, selected by a jury of key business leaders convened by the Downtown Denver Partnership, are businesses, projects and initiatives that had the most significant impact on the center city in 2015.

The 55th Annual Downtown Denver Awards winners are:

·        16M (Video)

·        Balfour at Riverfront Park (Video)

·        Co-Development Expansion Project at the Denver Art Museum │ the ART Hotel (Video)

·        Elan Union Station │ King Soopers (Video)

·        Lawrence Street Community Center (Video)

·        Regency Athletic Complex at MSU of Denver (Video)

“We are grateful for the opportunity to pause each year to celebrate the achievements that advance us toward our vision of a world-class center city,” said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “These projects support our place-based economic development strategy and have made significant contributions to bolster Downtown Denver as a powerful economic engine for the city, state and region.”

More than 1,000 people – a new attendance record – celebrated award winners at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center.

More information about each winner is below. Click here for images available for media use, please credit the individual project for the photo. Additional information, as well as videos highlighting each project, are available at downtowndenver.com.

16M

16M is a thoughtfully designed mixed-use building in Denver’s historic Lower Downtown (LoDo) District that brings an authentic modern development to activate a previously overlooked intersection of 16th and Market Streets. The 10-story, 340,000-square-foot building creates space for residents, businesses, ground-level retail and increases pedestrian activity and vibrancy along the 16th Street Mall.

“16M supports the vibrancy of downtown Denver through its ‘live, work, play’ uses within the building’s modern yet contextual architectural design. Having our work honored for contributing to the transformation of downtown Denver makes this award very special to us!”

Brent Mather, AIA, LEED AP, Principal, Design Director, Gensler

Balfour at Riverfront Park

Balfour at Riverfront Park brings one of America’s only four-star senior living communities to Downtown Denver. Balfour expands opportunities for seniors to experience all that Downtown Denver has to offer, while also accessing an entire continuum of care to meet their long-term needs.

“On behalf of the entire Balfour at Riverfront Park team, it is our honor to receive a 2015 Downtown Denver Partnership Award. By presenting Balfour with this prestigious award, you have recognized that vibrant cities are places for everyone, not just young professionals and empty nesters. And that’s how Balfour at Riverfront Park became more than a vision. We’d like to believe our community has helped in its own special way to make Downtown Denver a more dynamic and exciting place.”

Michael Schonbrun, Founder

Co-Development Expansion Project at the Denver Art Museum │ the ART Hotel

The mixed use Co-Development Expansion Project at the Denver Art Museum, including the ART Hotel, has bolstered the Broadway corridor and Golden Triangle neighborhood and established the city block as the cultural core of Downtown Denver. This world-class transformation of a public parking lot brings a new tier of visitors to Downtown and includes private mixed-use space for 55 luxury residences, new retail, 50,000 square feet of office space and the ART Hotel. 

“Mile High Development and Corporex Colorado are truly thrilled to receive a prestigious Downtown Denver Partnership Award on behalf of the Co-Development Expansion Project which validates the strong commitment made over 15 years ago to enter into a public-private partnership with the City and County of Denver and the Denver Art Museum to help transform the Civic Center neighborhood.”

George Thorn, Mile High Development

Elan Union Station │ King Soopers

Elan Union Station solidified Lower Downtown’s transition from a business district to an urban neighborhood by fulfilling a long-standing commitment to bring a first-of-its-kind, full-service grocery store to Downtown Denver. The development also features a 314-unit apartment complex and additional ground-floor retail that broadly impacts Downtown’s residents, workers and visitors.

 “The Elan Union Station project is the “front door” to the Platte Valley and adds a critical urban component to downtown Denver – the first full-service grocery store.  The Nichols Partnership, along with Loftus Developments, worked with the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Denver Urban Renewal Authority, King Soopers and a variety of other constituents over a 10-year period to create this valuable amenity and advance Denver as a true 24/7 city. We are honored to be recognized by the Downtown Denver Partnership.”

Nichols Partnership

Lawrence Street Community Center

The Lawrence Street Community Center provides a safe, clean and dignified place – the first of its kind – where Denver’s homeless community can access basic services during the day, including bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities, food, drinking fountains and power outlets. The facility includes a 325-seat dining center and outdoor courtyard, reducing neighborhood sidewalk congestion and helping the Denver Rescue Mission support homeless individuals on the path towards becoming self-sufficient citizens.

“This award means a tremendous amount to the Mission and all of our staff. We fought many uphill battles to see the Lawrence Street Community Center open its doors, and now we’re serving more meals and providing more services than ever before. It’s doing what it was supposed to do -- help people in dire need. And we’re so grateful Downtown Denver recognizes the value of this.”

Brad Meuli, CEO, Denver Rescue Mission

Regency Athletic Complex at MSU of Denver

The Regency Athletic Complex at MSU of Denver transformed a previously unused plot of land into a 13-acre field of dreams, enhancing health and wellness among student-athletes and the community, and creating an amenity that strengthens physical and economic connections to Downtown Denver.

“The Regency Athletic Complex allows us to engage with the neighboring community, provide premier facilities for our student-athletes and bring new people to the center city. We’ve created a place that is a vital part of the urban fabric of Downtown Denver and we are thankful for this recognition.”

Dr. Stephen Jordan, President, MSU of Denver

About the Downtown Denver Partnership
The Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. partners with public, private and non-profit entities to implement high-impact strategies, outlined in the organization’s long-term strategy the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, to support its vision for an economically healthy, growing and vital Downtown Denver. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com.

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Media Contact: 
Brea Olson
303.775.4712
[email protected]

Granite Properties and Confluent Development Break Ground for Granite Place at Village Center Office Development

Granite Properties and Confluent Development broke ground on February 17, 2016 for a Granite Place at Village Center, a 300,000-square-foot office development in Greenwood Village.

Granite Properties, a Texas-based real estate developer with an office in Denver, and Denver-based developer Confluent Development are co-developing Granite Place at Village Center. Granite Properties also serves as the owner of the office development located within the Village Center area of Greenwood Village near I-25 and Arapahoe Road. Additional affiliated entities include Open Studio Architecture, GE Johnson, Koelbel and Company and Colliers International.

Greenwood Village Mayor Ron Rakowsky, Granite Properties Managing Director Stephanie Lawrence and Confluent Development President and CEO Marshall Burton provided remarks regarding this important development opportunity for southeast Denver. 

The transit-stop development is within walking distance of the Arapahoe at Village Center light rail station and will provide Class AA space that is in high demand for the southeast Denver market. Through well-planned development, phase one of the project will include a 10-story speculative office building with unique amenities as well as an adjacent parking garage accommodating approximately 1,000 cars. 

Granite Properties will own and manage the project, adding to its current portfolio of 950,000 square feet of commercial space in the Denver market and 9 million square feet nationwide.

Rendering of Granite Place at Village Center

Left to right: Blake Mourer (Open Studio Architecture), Marshall Burton (Confluent Development), Stephanie Lawrence (Granite Properties), Greenwood Village Mayor Ron Rakowsky, Buz Koelbel (Koelbel and Company), Justin Cooper (GE Johnson), Brad Harms (GE Johnson)

For more information, please contact Andy Boian at dovetail solutions, 303-868-0085 / [email protected].