Arapahoe Square, the 30-square block district northeast of Denver’s Central Business District, is on the cusp of major change. Currently dominated by surface parking lots and run-down buildings, Arapahoe Square is the last Downtown-adjacent district to undergo revitalization. But now, the development community, the city, and businesses and residents from around the area are working together to help the district become Downtown Denver’s next great neighborhood. The city recently completed a vision plan for Arapahoe Square, and is currently following through with additional studies and strategies to help the district’s redevelopment advance. New infill projects are underway and stakeholders are discussing options for bicycles and transit, public spaces and streetscapes, new zoning and development standards, possible street network changes, and strategies for managing the district’s homeless population issues.
Hosted by Ken Schroeppel, creator of DenverUrbanism.com, our roundtable conversation about Arapahoe Square includes Jynx Messacar, owner of Merchants Office Furniture—a fourth generation business located in the heart of Arapahoe Square; Courtland Hyser, planner with the city’s Community Planning and Development agency who helped lead the recent Arapahoe Square planning effort; and David Zucker, principal of Zocalo Development, which is currently under construction on a 10-story, 231-unit apartment building within Arapahoe Square.
Ken Schroeppel
