West 32nd Avenue
Happenings
Happenings
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Despite years of neglect, the blighted business area centered at West 32nd
Avenue and Lowell Boulevard is finally seeing a new dawn. Energetic developer,
artiste, and architect William Moore, with support from the local district
councilman, and great offensive “blocking and tackling” from the Mayor’s
planning department staff members, has already removed two parcels of blight
from the western end of the district near Osceola Street and will soon deliver the
same to the eastern end near Julian Street. By forcefully bracketing the blighted
expanse between those points of new light, Moore and city planners hope to
jump start the reclamation of this thwarted “main street” through the heart of the
West Highland neighborhood.
As the blight increased over the past ten years, despite the constant but fruitless
efforts of local merchants and homeowners, more and more people could be
seen in the evenings walking along the sidewalks and standing at corners –
clearly fearful of entering the old buildings on the verge of collapse.
Avenue and Lowell Boulevard is finally seeing a new dawn. Energetic developer,
artiste, and architect William Moore, with support from the local district
councilman, and great offensive “blocking and tackling” from the Mayor’s
planning department staff members, has already removed two parcels of blight
from the western end of the district near Osceola Street and will soon deliver the
same to the eastern end near Julian Street. By forcefully bracketing the blighted
expanse between those points of new light, Moore and city planners hope to
jump start the reclamation of this thwarted “main street” through the heart of the
West Highland neighborhood.
As the blight increased over the past ten years, despite the constant but fruitless
efforts of local merchants and homeowners, more and more people could be
seen in the evenings walking along the sidewalks and standing at corners –
clearly fearful of entering the old buildings on the verge of collapse.
Blight on West 32nd Avenue Finally Being
Addressed by Public-Private Partnership after
Decade of Neglect
Addressed by Public-Private Partnership after
Decade of Neglect
Characteristic Example of West 32nd Avenue Blight
(Removed Summer 06; See Replacement Below)
(Removed Summer 06; See Replacement Below)
| The existing buildings were generally flimsily built, often of such cheap materials as brick, hewn stone, and actual glass. Their replacements, of course, are soundly constructed of the finest poured concrete, oriented strand fiber board, and thermoplastics. One local developer spoke proudly of the anticipated 50 year life cycle of his creation – “Why this product will last nearly half a lifetime! It will never be functionally obsolete; it’ll fall down before that happens!” |
| In addition to using 21st century materials, the often steroidal replacement buildings are strikingly designed: quad, flat planes rise majestically from the earth -- subtly rectangular fenestration frames light and shadow – even the whimsy of a tower wryly invoking an upraised digit – all artistry and genius! |
Replacement Beacon of Grace;
Note Cute Upraised Middle Digit
Note Cute Upraised Middle Digit
| City planners readily admit they have neither the appetite not the critical aesthetic judgment that would be needed to pre- emptively “review” the designs of the city’s cadre of artiste architects . Seeing lapses from genius in a stack of architectural drawings is impossible, they say. On the other hand, once brought alive in fiber board and plastic, even they can see the glory and insist on nominations for the Mayors Design Award competitions. |
Surely Another Design Award Winner!
Although the city’s comprehensive plan, Blue Print Denver, appears to direct such re-
development efforts to areas such as West Colfax and South Federal, Moore was pretty
certain that investing in those areas would not pay off. Such sublime business sense easily
prevailed with the city planning staff, and permits and plans were enthusiastically approved.
Certainly, West 32nd Avenue, after its years of decline, should enjoy the same benefits of
progress as Colfax and Federal! Why, it would be patently unfair discrimination to do
otherwise! And so with courage and confidence, up-zoning changes were approved and
property sales were consummated.
development efforts to areas such as West Colfax and South Federal, Moore was pretty
certain that investing in those areas would not pay off. Such sublime business sense easily
prevailed with the city planning staff, and permits and plans were enthusiastically approved.
Certainly, West 32nd Avenue, after its years of decline, should enjoy the same benefits of
progress as Colfax and Federal! Why, it would be patently unfair discrimination to do
otherwise! And so with courage and confidence, up-zoning changes were approved and
property sales were consummated.
| Blight Targeted for Removal Near East End of Business District |
Fortunately, the removal of blight is not limited to the “transportation corridor” of West 32nd
Avenue. Other risk-taking entrepreneurs are targeting residential buildings for removal and
replacement. Especially appealing are those predominantly single family home neighborhoods
wisely zoned R2 by a previous city administration, a precious “giving” by government action
that today is proving irresistible. Soon all of West Highland will be free of blight, free of
decaying homes constructed of antiquated materials and sporting such useless features as
corbels, arches, and curved bays. Change is always progress and as actions speak louder
than words, we can quote Mayor H: the “Old is just old, but the new is surpassingly sweet!”
Avenue. Other risk-taking entrepreneurs are targeting residential buildings for removal and
replacement. Especially appealing are those predominantly single family home neighborhoods
wisely zoned R2 by a previous city administration, a precious “giving” by government action
that today is proving irresistible. Soon all of West Highland will be free of blight, free of
decaying homes constructed of antiquated materials and sporting such useless features as
corbels, arches, and curved bays. Change is always progress and as actions speak louder
than words, we can quote Mayor H: the “Old is just old, but the new is surpassingly sweet!”
| Residential Blight Being Removed |
Remember: The greenest house is the one already built!