Denver Union Station Bus Box - Image Courtesy DUS
Construction Update
First half of the Regional Bus Facility (LRT to old Wewatta St.)
Work is continuing on the interior of the bus facility with crews installing the electrical/mechanical rough-ins and fire protection system. In addition, concrete work for the passenger concourse has begun.
Second half of the Regional Bus Facility (Wewatta St. to the West side of the
DUS building)
Crews are pouring concrete for the base slab, as weather permits, with the goal of completing the last one by the end of the month. Once complete, a continuous “floor” for the underground bus facility will be in place. The walls and columns are being framed and poured as the area becomes available.
LRT Plaza
Crews are continuing to install the concrete unit pavers in the Plaza area. This work will continue through the spring. Additionally, work on the underground utilities for the 17th St. Gardens is progressing.
Streets and Utilities
Work on 16th St. between Wewatta St. and Wynkoop St. is in progress and will continue for the next several months. Towards the end of February, construction of the curb and gutter, roadway, sidewalks, and replacement of the light fixtures will begin. The 16th Street FreeMall Ride Shuttle buses and pedestrian access areas will shift as work continues. Please use caution in the area and follow the directional signage.
Crews are also working on the construction of 18th St. between Wynkoop St. and the access to the underground bus facility. The retaining wall adjacent to the Ice House and Rodizio Grill is nearly complete. After finishing some additional utility work in the area, crews will begin the paving process. Street paving is scheduled for completion prior to the start of construction on the North Wing Building.
Wynkoop Plaza
Crews have fenced off the old parking areas in front of the DUS building. The building remains open with a designated area for pedestrian access. On the north side, crews are working on the construction of 18th St. In the center section, crews have removed the decorative bricks and will be starting construction on an underground water detention structure; and on the south side of the building crews are working on the utilities and the reconstruction of 16th St. Cranes will be in the front of Denver Union Station in the next month.
Rotarians Tour Denver Union Station
Members from the Denver Rotary Club #31 recently descended on Denver Union Station to tour the historic building and learn about the project. Approximately 150 members were in attendance – roughly 40 percent of the Club. Rotary Club # 31, known as the Downtown Club, recently celebrated its 100th year anniversary. The tour was especially meaningful to the Rotary members for a number of reasons. According to Jim McGibney, the Rotary’s incoming president, the families of many of the current members were involved in facets of the initial development of the Denver Union Station site. A good number of the Rotarians remember coming down to the station as children to watch the troops come home during World War II. They also remember being with relatives who took them on their first train rides.
The 1½-hour event was designed as an interactive experience. Presentations were set up in the great train hall so that Rotarians could walk around and visit with project representatives to learn about the ongoing work at the station. Displays included designs on the underground bus facility and other transit improvements, landscaping and public plaza projects around the site as well as a slideshow on the upcoming restoration and renovation of the historic building.
McGibney noted that during the initial sitting for lunch, every bench in the station was filled. “It was a good way for our members to learn more about our city and the attendees were truly appreciative of the experience,” he said. “The universal statement people made about the project as they were leaving was ‘I didn’t know it was that big,’” he added.
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