A few recent articles might be suggesting that Denver’s Downtown isn’t living up to it’s potential, or making the most of our opportunities…yet. Planners and politicians are hoping to make the right choices as the City is definitely changing. Here’s is a rundown on the future of downtown:

Making a “More Integrated” Convention Center and Performing Arts Complex in Downtown Denver [Confluence]

ERIC PETERSON | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 04, 2015

“Our whole goal is to make the convention center and the performing arts complex much more integrated into what goes on downtown,”

Denver eyes 3 downtown plans to boost arts complex, parks, mall [Denver Post]

By Ray Mark Rinaldi and Jon Murray The Denver Post

POSTED: 06/02/2015

DENVER, CO – JUNE 1: Marciano Vigil, 7 of Denver, walks along the large feet of the sculpture called Dancers outside of the Denver Center for Performing Arts in Denver, Colorado on June 1, 2015. The more than 60 ft tall sculpture weighs 25 tons, is made of steel and fiberglass and is meant to look like dancers in a perpetual state of dancing. For the second term of Mayor Michael Hancock, the city of Denver has begun developing a three-pronged plan to bolster downtown as the social center of civic life. The plan includes expanding the amount of open space in the urban core through the addition of new public parks, and transforming the 16th Street Mall from a weekday transportation and retail corridor to a destination for public gatherings year-round. (Photo By Helen H. Richardson/ The Denver Post)

Denver may decide soon on public toilet try-out on downtown streets [Denver Post]

By Jon MurrayThe Denver Post

POSTED: 03/29/2015

“I think this is about the fact that Denver has arrived,” she said. “It’s great that we’re a destination for the arts, for sporting events and for concerts and shows and festivals,” but she sees a need for public restrooms available 24 hours a day.”

A Portland Loo public toilet stands in Portland, Ore. (Photo courtesy Madden Fabrication)

Elitch Gardens in Denver sold to local investment team led by Kroenke [Denver Post]

By Jason Blevins

The Denver Post

POSTED: 06/05/2015

Denver’s Revesco Properties partners with Kroenke Sports Entertainment to return park to local ownership. “We love the park. It’s a great business that just happens to be located on an important piece of land for the city,” said Duggan, who owns the Shoppes at Castle Rock and LoHi’s Old Major restaurant building. “There is no redevelopment plan. It’s a great opportunity to buy an operating business. We will look at it over time, as we do with all of our assets. But right now, it’s business as usual for the park.”

Amusement park goers ride the Blazin’ Buckaroo at Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park in Denver, May 3, 2013. (Craig F. Walker, Denver Post file)

DDP releases Downtown Development Map update [Confluence]

MARGARET JACKSON | FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

The Downtown Denver Partnership has released updates to theDowntown Denver Development Map detailing projects under construction or planned as of April.There now is $1.27 billion in development under construction that includes 1,741 hotel rooms, 4,210 residential units, nearly 2.4 million square feet of office space and nearly 230,000 square feet of retail space either planned or under construction downtown.

“That signals noteworthy progress toward the partnership’s vision of a prosperous city that attracts jobs, growth and investment,” says Tami Door, president and chief executive of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “Projects around Denver’s Union Station, particularly residential developments, are moving forward at a faster pace than many had envisioned as developers recognize that building adjacent to this important multimodal transportation hub is a smart investment.”