CREJ - Building Dialogue - September 2017
In the past decade, an unprecedented growth cycle in Denver’s new community development has been underway. Midtown, a landmark redevelopment of a large undeveloped site within 10 minutes of downtown Denver, was one of the early pioneers in this cycle. First conceived in 2007, Midtown set many of the trends for the denser communities that have been developed since. Originally planned to provide attainable housing for millennials purchasing their first homes, Midtown has proven to be attractive to downsizing baby boomers and seniors as well. This broad band of demographic groups is drawn to Midtown for many individual reasons, but they all share one reason: they wanted to be part of a true neighborhood. Planning: Laying the Groundwork Midtown’s new take on neighborhoods began with the planning process. The Preliminary Development Plan and Design Guidelines were specifically written to outline the vision for community development, zeroing in on the details that would make the overall plan come to life. The planning team worked closely with Adams County offices to revise zoning codes and develop new standards and guidelines for a dense neighborhood with a broad mix of uses, complemented by abundant community-driven amenities throughout. Each of these planning steps helped to ensure that Midtown would be truly unique – and remain true to its vision from early concept to final construction. Trends: Trailblazing Midtown Midtown was an early trailblazer for several trends that have become familiar in today’s planned communities. The project’s timing corresponded with the Great Recession in 2008, a time when expectations of housing and community were readjusting in the marketplace. A re-imagination of community was due, and Midtown was ready to lead the way. The building site was a great location but possessed no sense of place, a blank slate that needed revitalization and repurposing. The vision for the site: Make it walkable, bikeable and incorporate easy access to regional trails. For the workforce, an easy commute to the metro area was a necessity, and access to commuter rail trains, light rail and major highways was key. From a lifestyle perspective, home trends were changing. Smaller lots for more compact housing with affordable building costs were in the spotlight. Midtown responded to this, while still providing a unique mix of home types: townhomes, single-family homes, and a blend of traditional floor plans and efficient foot prints. Side yards rather than traditional backyards give homeowners the opportunity to tailor plants and landscape to individual taste and have small private outdoor spaces. Midtown also envisioned amenities that did not exist in other developments at the time, to be shared by the neighborhood and create the heart of the community. A New Interpretation of Traditional Neighborhoods A reinterpretation of the traditional neighborhood informed Midtown’s planning and design. The existing gridded street fabric of adjacent 1950s neighborhoods was respected and interpreted for a more compact living space. Porch-lined streets emphasize a pedestrian-friendly environment. A central open space spine called the Promenade bisects Midtown, connecting each block with green space, pedestrian walkways, and is anchored on either end with park areas that host activities for every age group. Small individual yards are adjacent to larger greenspaces, extending the sense of shared space balanced with private areas. Front porches face onto the Promenade, and neighbors mingle as their kids play in the community’s shared “front yard.” … And a New Take on Amenities A community-sized Main Street acts as the heart of Midtown with a community building that provides a gathering space with a brew pub and coffee shop. The community building hosts gatherings and celebrations, both private and for the community at large, reconfiguring for each occasion. The large Community Garden area allows residents to garden close to home with larger plots of land. Located in the center of the community, the popular garden plots give residents a great opportunity to interact with their neighbors in a shared interest. On the Promenade, a unique splash pool takes the place of a traditional swimming pool experience. This interactive water feature designed for children of all ages was inspired by the area’s historic use of irrigation canals, ditches and flood irrigation for agriculture. A series of operable flood gates allow kids to manipulate the flow of water, and a computer-operated fountain creates an ever-changing display and splash experience. The Best of Community A model for new urban communities in Denver, Midtown both honors the past and embraces the future. Repurposing the land and revitalizing an established neighborhood, Midtown set a new standard for what neighborhoods can be.